Written answers

Wednesday, 1 March 2017

Department of Education and Skills

Schools Building Projects

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

169. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which the school building programme at primary and second level in County Kildare continues to proceed as planned having particular regard to the urgent requirement for school places; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10739/17]

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

170. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which he has received communication from the various primary school authorities throughout north Kildare in the context of the provision of new buildings or extra facilities to meet requirements; the extent to which he expects to be in a position to respond in the current year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10740/17]

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

176. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which primary school places and class requirements in County Kildare continue to be met; if class sizes fall within the national average; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10746/17]

Photo of Richard BrutonRichard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 169, 170 and 176 together.

As the Deputy will be aware, my Department consistently monitors demographics to identify where additional school places will be required.

My Department’s six-year capital programme priorities building projects for these areas, including County Kildare. The Capital Programme also provides for devolved funding for additional classrooms for schools where an immediate enrolment need has been identified or where an additional teacher has been appointed.

There are currently 29 major capital projects that are being progressed in Co Kildare. This is in addition to over 50 smaller scale projects that have been approved devolved funding under my Department’s additional accommodation scheme.

Budget 2017 sets out the resources available for schools for the 2017/18 school year. This Budget represents the start of a major reinvestment in education, and the first phase of implementation of the Action Plan for Education, aimed at becoming the best education system in Europe within a decade. The budget provides for over 2,400 additional teaching posts for our primary and post primary schools next year. This includes additional teaching posts to meet demographic need, curriculum reform, additional guidance posts, additional resource teaching posts, addition teaching support for DEIS schools and the strengthening of school leadership.

The 2017/18 school year will see a significant increase in teacher numbers (almost 4,700) in our schools compared to the 2015/16 school year.

The Programme for Government has a commitment to reduce class sizes at primary level and it is my intention to make further improvements to class sizes over the life of the Government.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.