Michael Ring
Ceist:286. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Education if an alternative site will be considered for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21317/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 14 May 2024
Ceisteanna (286)
Freagraí scríofa
I can confirm to the Deputy, that my Department is not in receipt of an application for the Additional School Accommodation (or ASA) scheme, from the school in question.
The purpose of my Department’s Additional School Accommodation (or ASA) scheme is to ensure that essential mainstream classroom accommodation and accommodation for pupils with special education needs is available to cater for pupils enrolled each year, where the need cannot be met by the school’s existing accommodation or at other schools in the area.
I am pleased to confirm that approval under the Department's Modular Framework was recently given to the school for 1x User Assisted WC room. This has been devolved to the school authority for delivery and is currently at stage 1.
In the context of the consideration of a new school site as mentioned by the Deputy, I can confirm that the Department has to prioritise its limited capital resources, in the context both of the ongoing requirement for additional school places, including SEN places, and the high construction inflation which has significantly impacted on the cost of projects that we must deliver.
The main focus of the Department’s resources over the last decade and for the coming period is on provision of critical additional capacity to cater for increasing demographics. Since 2020 my Department has invested in the region of €4.5 billion in our schools throughout the country, including the completion of over 800 school building projects with construction currently underway at approximately 300 other projects, which includes 31 new school buildings.
School building projects at construction involve an overall State investment of over €1.2 billion. We also have a large modular accommodation programme delivering urgently needed school places. 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.
In Co Mayo alone, since 2020, the Department has invested over €101 million in school infrastructure and completed 37 school building projects.
This significant investment is intended to allow us to move forward with certainty on modernising our school infrastructure with a real focus on sustainability, for school communities across Ireland. The strengthened focus on refurbishment of existing school stock will have different strands and will include a deep-energy retrofit programme in support of our 2030 and 2050 Climate Action Goals.
In general, demographics have been falling at primary level and are due to continue to decrease. The school planning area in question peaked in 2022. Therefore, the Department considers it prudent to maximise the use of existing spare accommodation capacity at primary level in the first instance, before considering any applications for further accommodation needs. This is in line with public spending requirements. As such I can confirm that the Department has no current plans for site acquisition for the school in question.