Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

189. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which the school building programme throughout the country remains in line with requirements and expectations; the extent to which this applies to County Kildare which is affected by ongoing increases in population; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45744/14]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As the Deputy is aware, my Department's over-riding objective is to ensure that every child has access to a physical school place and that our school system is in a position to cope with increasing pupil numbers. To ensure that this is achieved, the delivery of major school projects to meet significant demographic demands nationally, will be the main focus for capital investment in schools in the coming years. The 5 Year Construction Plan that was announced in March 2012 is focused on meeting this demand.

In this regard, County Kildare has been identified as an area of significant demographic growth and the Five Year Construction Plan includes major projects for Kildare. My Department will also consider applications from individual schools for devolved funding to meet an immediate accommodation requirement because of increased enrolments or where an additional teacher has been appointed.

My Department will continue to analyse demographic trends and to monitor enrolments in all areas, to determine the level of additional school provision which may be required into the future and to ensure that this is provided in a timely manner.

The current status of all projects on the school building programme may be viewed on my Department's website at www.education.ie and this is updated regularly throughout the year.