Education: School Building Programme 8th October 2013

To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the degree to which he expects the
school building programme to advance in the coming year with particular
reference to the total number of new school places likely to be provided at
primary and secondary level; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
– Bernard J. Durkan.

To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the progress to date in respect of
the school building programme, at primary and second level throughout County
Kildare; the targets that have already been achieved and those outstanding; and
if he will make a statement on the matter.
-Bernard J. Durkan.

To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which the primary
and second school building programme in County Kildare has advanced in each of
the past three years to date with particular reference to the building of new
schools, the replacement of existing school and his future plans regarding
same; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
-Bernard J. Durkan.

* For WRITTEN answer on Tuesday, 8th October, 2013.
Reference Number: 42448/13, 42455/13, 42461/13

I propose to take questions 250, 257 and 263 together.

The current status of all projects on the school building programme, including
those for County Kildare, may be viewed on my Department’s website at
www.education.ie which is updated regularly throughout the year.

The Deputy will be aware that the 5 year School Investment Plan announced in
March 2012, provides for a €2 billion school capital investment programme, of
which over €1.5 billion is being allocated to the funding of major school
building projects, with the balance needed for the additional accommodation
scheme, the prefab replacement initiative, the Emergency Works Scheme and the
acquisition of sites.  The Plan outlines the major school projects that are
planned to proceed to construction over the duration of the Plan. The primary
aim at the core of the Five Year Plan is focussed on meeting demographic
demands to ensure that every child will have access to a physical school place
and that our school system is in a position to cope with increasing pupil
numbers. The plan will provide over 100,000 permanent school places, of which
over 80,000 will be new school places.

Further to the Five Year Plan, my Department is committed to publishing a
detailed annual programme in relation to individual major school projects
commencing construction. In December 2011, details of 56 major school building
projects to commence construction in 2012, the first year of the Plan, were
published. In December 2012, details of 50 major school building projects were
announced to commence construction in 2013, the second year of the Plan.
Details of the building projects to commence construction in 2014 will be
announced later on this year.

The Deputy will also be aware of the biggest initiative ever undertaken to
reduce the reliance on rented prefabs in schools.. Under the Prefab Replacement
initiative 2012 (Phase 1),  my Department provided funding of in excess of €42
million for the replacement of over 458 prefab units in 170 schools with
permanent accommodation. A further €15 million has been allocated under Phase
II of the Prefab Replacement Initiative, that was announced in June this year,
for the replacement of over 115 prefab units in 46 schools.  This funding will
be used to replace prefabs with permanent classroom and resource rooms
accommodation. A total of eight schools in County Kildare will benefit from
this initiative.

Also in June this year, the allocation of further funding as part of the
Government’s “investing in Infrastructure & Jobs” package, will enable a
further 28 school projects to be progressed to construction. This investment
will enable 18 primary schools, including a school in County Kildare, and 10
post-primary schools to be replaced or refurbished with state of the art
classrooms and facilities for over 12,000 students.

Details of all school capital works that have been funded by my Department may
be viewed on my Department website and this is updated on a regular basis.