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Education and Training Provision

Dáil Éireann Debate, Friday - 6 September 2019

Friday, 6 September 2019

Ceisteanna (282)

Peter Burke

Ceist:

282. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Education and Skills the details of investment (details supplied) in counties Longford and Westmeath since 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35143/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The investment in education and training services in counties Longford and Westmeath under the headings requested by the Deputy are as follows.

Special Education 

The Department estimates that the average total cost for school years 2016/17 to 2018/19 of special education teachers and special needs assistants is on the order of some €127 million. Given that these payroll costs usually account for approximately 88% of overall special education need expenditure, the notional total amount  expended over the period in Longford and Westmeath could be reasonably estimated as being on the order of €144 million.

School Transport

Bus Éireann has confirmed that in 2018, the overall spend on contractors for the provision of School Transport Services was €1.49 million in Longford and €3.49 million in Westmeath. Detailed information requested for 2016 and 2017 is not readily available. In this regard, Bus Éireann has been requested to collate this information and it will be forwarded to the Deputy when ready.

New build schools/Emergency Works/Summer Works scheme

Since 2016, expenditure on new building projects in Longford and Westmeath was €0.76 million and €22.47 million respectively. This figure does not include expenditure under the Additional Accommodation Scheme.

In relation to the Summer Works Scheme, the total expenditure was €1.48 million for projects in Longford and €1.67 million for projects in Westmeath. 

Through the Emergency Works Scheme, from 2016 to date, there has been €0.21 million expenditure in Longford and €1.20 million expenditure in Westmeath.

In relation to the other costs requested by the Deputy, the Department of Education and Skills does not allocate or record these budgets on a county basis.

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