Written answers

Tuesday, 7 May 2013

Department of Education and Skills

Schools Building Projects Status

Photo of Andrew DoyleAndrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

167. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide, in tabular form, all new places being made available in both primary and secondary schools in an area (details supplied) in County Wicklow in the coming months and years; if he will outline all the upgrades and emergency works in the area since his appointment; if he will outline new school places and new schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21198/13]

Photo of Ruairi QuinnRuairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Deputy will be aware that the Five Year Construction Plan, that I announced on 9 March 2012, outlines the major school projects that will commence construction over the duration of the Plan. The primary aim at the core of the Five Year Plan is focussed on meeting demographic demands to ensure that every child will have access to a physical school place and that our school system is in a position to cope with increasing pupil numbers.

The 5 Year Plan provides for the following level of additional primary school accommodation in the areas referred to by the Deputy:

Greystones: 15 additional classrooms will be in place following the completion of the building project for Gaelscoil na gCloch Liath and Greystones Educate Together National School. It is envisaged that this accommodation will be ready for occupation for the 2013/2014 school year.

Kilcoole: An 8 classroom extension project at Kilcoole National School is contained on the 2015/2016 construction list. This will facilitate the growth of the school to a 24 classroom facility. Pending the delivery of the extension project, my Department has approved the rental of 3 mainstream classrooms to cater for the school's interim accommodation requirements.

Newcastle: My Department provided funding to St. Francis National School in 2012 to facilitate the replacement of two prefabs with a permanent structure and I understand that the project is currently on site. A project for a replacement school for St. Catherine's Special School, Newcastle is contained on the Five Year Plan and is currently at Stage 2 (b) of the architectural planning process.

Newtownmountkennedy - A 5 classroom extension at Newtownmountkennedy National School is contained on the 2015/2016 construction list. This will facilitate the growth of the school to a 16 classroom facility.

Devolved funding for the provision of an additional 5 mainstream classrooms to cater for the 2013 and 2014 accommodation needs of the Greystones/Delgany area has also been approved by my Department for the following schools:

- St. Laurences N.S., Greystones - 2 classrooms

- St. Patrick's N.S. Greystones - 2 classrooms

- St. Kevin's N.S. Greystones - 1 classroom

The Deputy will also be aware that I have sanctioned a new school at post-primary level for the Greystones area and I expect this to commence operation in September 2014. Details of all works funded under my Department's Additional Accommodation and Emergency Works Schemes, including works in schools in Co. Wicklow, are available on my Department Website and this is updated on a weekly basis.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.