Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 March 2024
289. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Education the funding that exists for a school (details supplied) and other schools to install water fountains on their school grounds; the way in which an application can be made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10120/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince 2020, my Department has invested in the region of €4.3 billion in our schools throughout the country, involving the completion of over 800 school building projects with construction currently underway at approximately 300 other projects, which includes 31 new school buildings.?
These 300 projects currently at construction involve a total State investment of over €1.2bn.? There are also approx. 90 projects currently at the tender stage including a further 28 new school buildings.? All these new school buildings are flagship projects in their area and transform the education infrastructure for those school communities.?
This is a record level of investment in our schools and highlights the Government’s very strong track record of delivery in providing additional capacity and modern facilities for our school communities.
The school referred to by the Deputy is a new modern school building that was provided for the local school community in recent times.
My Department provides funding to all recognised schools in the Free Education Scheme by way of per capita grants. The two main grants are the Capitation grant to cater for day to day running costs including heating, lighting etc. and the Ancillary grant to cater for the cost of employing ancillary services staff. These grants may be regarded as a common grant, from which the Board of Management can allocate according to its own priorities within the guidelines of DPER Circular 52/2020, where the funding must be used for the purposes in which it was given for.
The Summer Works Scheme is a mechanism for dealing with small-scale improvement works in schools. The scheme operates on a multi-annual basis and school authorities will be advised in due course of the next opportunity for submitting applications for such works.
