Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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286. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of an application for capital funding by a school (details supplied). [12968/18]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy is aware the school to which he refers was allocated devolved funding under my Department's Additional Accommodation Scheme 2017 to provide 1 standalone mainstream classroom with en-suite toilets, 1 WC for assisted users and 2 resource rooms.

The school submitted an application for significant additional funding for works outside the scope of the approved project in February 2018. Following assessment by my Department this application was refused and the school were advised to arrange for and submit a design consistent with the works approved by my Department.

The school has recently submitted a further application for additional funding and has asked my Department to reconsider their preferred design option. This proposal has been reviewed and the school have been informed that my Department's decision not to grant the additional funding stands. In this regard, I am sure that the Deputy will understand that due to the level of demand on my Department's capital budget to meet demographic needs, it is not possible to accede to all requests made of my Department.

It is now a matter for the school to progress the project based on a design consistent with the works approved by my Department. The grant earmarked for the approved works remains available to the school.