Micheál Martin
Ceist:132. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the capital plans for a national school (details supplied) in County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46796/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 13 November 2019
Ceisteanna (132)
Freagraí scríofa
I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department approved capital funding to Glynn N.S. for additional accommodation. My Department advised the school authority that it is not in a position to provide funding to the school for a General Purpose room due to the necessity to prioritise funding for essential classroom accommodation to meet demographic need.
You will be aware that under the National Development Plan (NDP) increased funding has been provided for the school sector capital investment scheme. This funding allows for a continued focus on the provision of new permanent school places to keep pace with demographic demand and also provides for an additional focus on the refurbishment of existing school buildings to include the building and modernisation of PE facilities in schools.
Under the Ireland Project 2040, we will invest €8.4 billion (compared to €4.9 billion in the previous decade) in primary and post primary school buildings. This will include the provision of 50 large scale school building projects and 20,000 school places in state of the art new buildings.
The immediate priority of my Department is providing 20,000 new and replacement school places each year, to ensure that every child has a school place. The school’s request will however be retained on file for consideration in the event of funding becoming available in the future.