Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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194. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will examine a request for funding by a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8384/17]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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A significant devolved grant was approved for the school referred to by the Deputy in November 2015 to provide additional classroom accommodation to meet increasing enrolments and to replace existing temporary accommodation.  In November last my Department was advised that the school wished to incorporate in the project brief some further additional accommodation.  The school indicated that the additional cost of this accommodation would be borne by the school.  On that basis my Department agreed to the school’s request and also agreed that the school authority could proceed to tender.

In January last, following the tender process the school authority contacted my Department seeking increased funding to meet the cost of the further additional accommodation and also in respect of abnormal costs arising.  In accordance with the agreement reached the school were advised that the costs of the additional accommodation were a matter for the school; further clarity is being sought from the school in respect of the abnormal costs.

The Deputy will appreciate that my Department must prioritise the provision of essential classroom accommodation in the context of the number of funding applications received from schools.  In that regard it is necessary that schools adhere to the terms of the funding approval.