Schools need ‘large-scale investment’
Education Minister Mary Hanafin said challenges remain in the coming years to meet increased accommodation requirements.
“Large-scale investment is still required to continue the process of modernising our schools infrastructure. With increased numbers of teachers coming into the system — some 4,000 since 2002 — increased specialist accommodation to cater for pupils with special needs, booming population growth areas particularly in the greater Dublin area and the demands for greater diversity from both Educate Together and Gaelscoileanna sectors, we need to work with school communities to maximise the benefits from our investment,” Ms Hanafin said.
A report on the school building programme shows€2 billion was spent on over 6,500 projects between 2000 and 2005.
At primary level these included 57 new schools, with construction underway at another 10 new schools, 251 large-scale refurbishment or extension projects with another 37 under way and 4,598 small scale projects involving upgrading works and small extensions.
In the post-primary education sector, 19 new schools were built with construction under way at another 13. There were 129 large-scale refurbishment and extension projects and another 17 continuing and 1,457 small-scale works.
The report found there were also 4,000 grants made for the provision of furniture and equipment.
Around €3.9bn has been allocated in capital funding to the education sector for modernising school accommodation over five years.
Work is under way on 1,300 projects at schools throughout this year. The Education Department has invited schools requiring extensions and refurbishment to apply for funding under the Small Schools Scheme and Permanent Accommodation Scheme.
“The Department expects to approve 200 such projects later this year, which will represent an investment of €70 million in facilities,” the minister said.
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