John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

74. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the alternative accommodation arrangements for a school (details supplied) once the lease expires on its current temporary accommodation in County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2660/19]

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As the Deputy is aware a major capital project for the provision of permanent accommodation for the school referred to by the Deputy to cater for a long term projected enrolment of 1,000 pupils is being addressed through my Department's Capital Programme.

With regard with the school’s interim accommodation, as the Deputy is aware the lease on the school's temporary accommodation is due to expire on the 30^thApril 2019 and the property is up for sale. My Department’s preferred option for interim accommodation is for the school to remain in this location. Accordingly, my Department has indicated to the owner of the property that it would be interested in exploring the potential to licence or lease the property from a potential purchaser should the purchaser be amenable to such an arrangement.

My Department is also exploring other options should it not be possible for the school to remain in the existing property. In this context, my Department is engaging with the patron body of the school and KWETB regarding all other possible short term accommodation solutions.

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

75. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which the school building programme is proceeding in line with expectations nationally and throughout County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2733/19]

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Deputy will be aware that my Department's Capital Programme continues to address the challenges posed by the significant bulge in pupil enrolments going through our schools. This has seen a significant expansion in the rate of provision of new school places.

The 2019 Primary and Post Primary Infrastructure allocation amounting to €672m will be expended primarily on the delivery of large scale projects and on the Additional Accommodation Scheme. Typically, expenditure levels of between 70% and 80% of the capital allocation available to schools annually is in respect of large scale projects and the Additional Accommodation Scheme. The balance available in 2019 will be expended on site acquisitions, the Summer Works Scheme, the Emergency Works Scheme, furniture and equipment provision and other smaller programmes.

The Capital Programme details the school projects that are being progressed through the architectural planning process, including schools at primary and post primary level in County Kildare. The Capital Programme also provides for devolved funding for additional classrooms, if required, for schools where an immediate enrolment need has been identified or where an additional teacher has been appointed. Details of schools listed on this programme can be found on my Department's website www.education.ie and this information is updated regularly.

The Deputy will also be aware of my announcement in April 2018 regarding the establishment of 42 new schools, including new primary schools in Maynooth, Leixlip and Naas and a new post primary school in Enfield to meet demand in the Kilcock school planning area, over the next four years (2019 to 2022). This announcement followed nationwide demographic exercises carried out by the Department into the future need for primary and post-primary schools across the country and the 4-year horizon will enable increased lead-in times for planning and delivery of the necessary infrastructure.

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

76. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his views on the lack of secondary school places in north County Dublin, specifically in Malahide, Kinsealy, Portmarnock and Swords; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2540/19]

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I wish to advise the Deputy that the current status of large-scale projects, including those in North County Dublin, being delivered under the school building programme may be viewed on my Department's website, 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.

As the Deputy will be aware, 2 Post Primary schools have been established to provide additional school capacity in the Malahide/Portmarnock and Swords area in North County Dublin. These schools opened in temporary accommodation in September 2018.

The Capital Programme also provides for devolved funding for additional classrooms, if required, for schools where an immediate enrolment need has been identified or where an additional teacher has been appointed. In this regard, I can confirm that my Department has recently received applications for such funding from two Post Primary schools in North County Dublin. These applications will be assessed and a decision will be conveyed to the school authorities when the assessment process has been completed.

All school capital projects that have been approved by my Department under the Additional Accommodation Scheme, may be viewed on my Department’s website, ,and this is updated regularly.