Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire
Ceist:390. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the number of DEIS schools that do not have a canteen. [62690/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 16 December 2021
Ceisteanna (390, 391)
Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire
Ceist:391. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the number of DEIS schools that do not have cooking facilities. [62691/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 390 and 391 together.
I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department does not hold details of schools with kitchens and/or canteens, or those without such facilities.
My Department has in place detailed design guidelines for primary and post-primary schools. These guidelines, which are available on my Department's web-site, currently provide for a standard range of servery and eating facilities in the design of new and refurbished schools. In Primary schools, a servery of 8.0m² in area is provided. At Post Primary level a kitchenette, 25m² in area, is provided off the General Purpose/Dining Area. These facilities are not intended to be full commercial type kitchens where food is prepared or cooked.
Under Project Ireland 2040, my Department continues to make progress to increase the infrastructural capacity in the schools sector, in order to meet demographic and other demands. The Capital Programme details the school projects that are being progressed under Project Ireland 2040. The current status of large-scale projects being delivered under Project Ireland 2040, including projects in the school planning areas in question, may be viewed on my Department's website at www.gov.ie and this information is updated regularly. In addition, a list of large-scale projects completed from 2010 to date may also be viewed on the website.
The Capital Programme also provides for devolved funding for additional school accommodation (ASA) where required. Details of schools listed on this programme can be found on my Department's website at www.gov.ie and this information is also updated regularly. The purpose of the ASA scheme is to ensure that essential mainstream classroom and Special Education Needs (SEN) accommodation is available to cater for pupils enrolled each year, where the need cannot be met by the school’s existing accommodation. The main focus of resources over the last decade and for the coming period is on provision of additional capacity to cater for increasing demographics. The second half of the National Development Plan will see an increasing focus on the upgrade and refurbishment of the existing school stock.
Question No. 391 answered with Question No. 390.