Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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225. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his views on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3062/19]

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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I can confirm to the Deputy that the school in question submitted an application for major capital investment. Applications from schools for major capital works must be considered in the context of the demographic challenge facing the education system in the coming years. In order to meet the needs of our growing population of school going children, my Department must establish new schools as well as extending a number of existing schools in areas where demographic growth has been identified. The delivery of these new schools, together with extension projects to meet future demand, will be the main focus of my Department’s budget for the coming years.  As the school in question is not located in an area of significant demographic growth, my Department is not in a position currently to consider the school's request for funding.  The position has been outlined to the school. 

I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department's capital investment programme also provides for devolved funding for additional classrooms for existing schools where an immediate enrolment need has been identified.

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.

Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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226. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if essential funding will be awarded to a school (details supplied) in order to complete urgent building works. [3093/19]

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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As the deputy is aware the extension to the school to which he refers has been devolved to the school authority for delivery.

On 31 January 2018 my department approved a grant to construct a new 80-square metre mainstream classroom with en-suite toilets, another 80-square metre classroom to replace a prefabricated classroom, an assisted user toilet and three resource rooms to replace existing prefabricated units.

On 6 September 2018, the school sent a combined stage 1/2A report to my department for approval prior to making a planning application. The report contained an increased scope of works.  A letter was issued to the school authority by my department on 13 December. This letter informed the school that the increased scope of works was not approved and additional funding would not be provided in that context.