Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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63. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which he expects to meet in full the requirements of the school building programme at primary and secondary level with a view to ensuring the replacement of temporary buildings with permanent structures in keeping with best international practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49454/18]

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that the current status of large-scale projects, being delivered under the school building programme may be viewed on my Department's website, www.education.ie and this information is updated regularly. In addition, a list of large-scale projects completed from 2010 to date may also be viewed on the website.

I also wish to advise the Deputy of the announcement earlier this year of plans for the establishment of 42 new schools over the next four years (2019-2022). This announcement follows nationwide demographic exercises carried out by the Department into the future need for primary and post-primary schools across the country. The four year horizon will enable increased lead-in times for planning and delivery of the necessary infrastructure.

The National Development Plan (NDP) provides for an €8.4 billion investment in school buildings over the period 2018 to 2027 to deliver on NDP and National Planning Framework objectives through addressing the twin priorities of catering for demographics and ensuring a strengthened focus on refurbishment of existing school stock. This investment will result in an almost doubling of the capital budget for school buildings - €540m in 2018 rising to an annual average of circa. €1 billion in the second half of the NDP period.

The strengthened focus on refurbishment of existing school stock will have different strands including prefab replacement, PE hall and school laboratory build and modernisation programmes as well as the commencement and progression of a deep energy retrofit of primary and post-primary schools built prior to 2008.

The Government remains committed to delivering on existing projects on the school building programme as soon as possible. I am satisfied that the investment available under the National Development Plan (2018-2027) will enable us to modernise and transform our school infrastructure in the years ahead.