Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

152. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of a new school building project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38485/24]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The project referred to, is devolved to Kildare and Wicklow Education and Training Board (KWETB) for delivery.

The project is currently at Stage 2b. The planning permission for the project was granted subject to a number of conditions, one of which was to complete an agreement in relation to wayleaves required on the site. Discussions have been ongoing between KWETB and the Design Team with local developers. I’m pleased to inform you that progress has recently been made in relation to the wayleave agreement.

A revised cost plan incorporating additional measures being added to the project was requested as part of the Stage 2B. Once the revised Stage 2b report is received, reviewed and approved by the Department, the next stage will be to tender for the contractor.

It is not possible at this time to give a date for the commencement of the tender stage, but KWETB will be engaging directly with the school authority to keep it informed of progress in this respect.

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

153. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills for an update on a school building project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38486/24]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department received an application under the Additional Schools’ Accommodation (ASA) scheme from the school in question which included a request for a new GP hall.

I am pleased to confirm to the Deputy that funding was approved for the school in question, under the ASA Scheme in 2022, for the provision of modular accommodation comprising 1x mainstream classroom, a HSCL room, a staffroom and staff toilets.

The purpose of the ASA scheme is to ensure that essential mainstream and special education classroom accommodation is available to cater for pupils enrolled each year and where the need cannot be met by the school’s existing accommodation or by available accommodation at other schools in the area. A request for a GP hall does not come within the remit of the ASA scheme and the school authority were advised of this decision.

I wish to advise the Deputy, that investment and expenditure on GP rooms/PE Halls is an element of the overall expenditure and investment in the School Building Programme. The provision of GP rooms and PE Halls, at primary and post primary level respectively, and outdoor hard play areas form part of the accommodation brief for all new school buildings or where a major building or refurbishment project is being delivered for an existing school.

Almost 80% of the post primary schools that made 2020 Annual Schools Returns have indicated to the Department that they have a PE Hall. A further 10% have indicated that they have access to a nearby PE Hall and 5% more have projects in train that will deliver a new PE Hall. Practically all schools have outdoor play areas and many schools use adjacent local facilities, including community halls, public parks, playing fields and swimming pools.

The main focus of my Department’s resources over the last decade and for the coming period is on provision of additional capacity to cater for increasing demographics particularly at post-primary level, and for provision to meet the needs of children with special educational needs. The Deputy will appreciate that the immediate priority of my Department is providing the required new and replacement school places each year, to ensure that every child has a school place, including the thousands of children who are newly arrived to this country.

Under Project Ireland 2040 the education sector will receive a total of approximately €4.4 billion capital investment over the period 2021-2025. There will be a rolling 5 year funding envelope which will be updated annually for the period 2026 to 2030 within the Government’s overall NDP funding envelope of €136 billion in exchequer capital (€165 billion total capital including non-Exchequer) that will facilitate building a modern and sustainable school infrastructure.

This significant investment allows us to move forward with certainty on our ambitious plans and deliver high quality building projects, with a real focus on sustainability, for school communities across Ireland. The strengthened focus on refurbishment of existing school stock will have different strands and will include a PE build and modernisation programme which will enable students in post-primary schools to have access to appropriate facilities to support PE provision, particularly also in the context of the roll-out of PE as a leaving-certificate subject. Enhanced and modernised PE facilities will also provide important amenities for local communities.

My Department will continue to work to ensure that capital investment in our schools is targeted in the most efficient and effective way to support schools in meeting the education needs of their students and communities.

Details of large-scale projects being delivered under the school building programme may be viewed on my Department's website at, www.gov.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.