Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 December 2020
43. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Education the capital projects in County Monaghan that will receive funding from her Department in 2021; and the capital projects in County Monaghan that are currently under consideration for future funding from her Department. [39987/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are currently 3 projects under the Additional Accommodation Scheme on site in Monaghan with an overall projected expenditure €1.5 million. These projects are due for completion in 2020/2021.
There are also a further 17 approved projects which have been devolved for delivery to the school authority/ETB in question. It is a matter for those school authorities to advance those projects, in this regard, it is possible that these projects progress to construction activity during 2021. Furthermore there are 3 projects on the Capital Programme which are at Preliminary Design stage.
In 2020, due to the exceptional circumstances arising from COVID-19, €29m was paid under the Minor Works Grant in July 2020 and under the July Stimulus Programme additional funding of €75m was allocated to cover an enhanced Minor Works Grant. As you are aware I announced a further €55 million in Minor Works Grant to be paid in early December, 2020. In 2020 schools in Co Monaghan will have received €2.5 million in Minor Works Grants.
More broadly, capital investment in the schools sector is primarily focused on adding capacity to cater for increased enrolments, meeting this demand, ensuring every child has a school place is the key priority in the selection and delivery of school infrastructure projects.
The requirement for new schools is kept under on-going review and in particular has regard to the impact of the increased roll out of housing provision as outlined in Project Ireland 2040. My Department also continues to monitor areas where the accommodation of existing schools may need to be expanded in order to meet the needs of the local population.
Similar to the process adopted in advance of the current academic year, my Department is engaging with patron bodies, including patrons in Co. Monaghan, to identify particular capacity requirements for the forthcoming year(s) which may necessitate action including, where required, the provision of modular accommodation solutions.
