Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 22 October 2020
102. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education further to previous requests from this Deputy, if she will include the much-needed new primary school for Waterville, County Kerry in the new capital programme; her views on the fact that the existing building is totally unsuitable for modern educational purposes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32180/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm to the Deputy that my Department is in receipt of an application, from the school in question, for major capital works comprising of a new school building.
Under the National Development Plan (NDP), increased funding has been provided for the school sector capital investment programme. 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, starting in the second half of Project Ireland 2040 period. The school authority's application will be considered under the Project Ireland 2040 capital envelope. The school authorities were notified of this position by my officials.
Should the school authority consider that it does not have sufficient capacity, in terms of mainstream teaching accommodation, it is open to them to apply for accommodation under the Additional School Accommodation Scheme, details of which are available on my Department's website www.education.ie. The purpose of the ASA scheme is to ensure that essential classroom accommodation is available to cater for pupils enrolled each year and where the need cannot be met by the school’s existing accommodation.
