Capital Plan 2016-2021 Provides €3.8bn For Education Sector

Senator Mary Moran with Minister for Public Expenditure & Reform, Brendan Howlin TD

I welcome the announcement of the Capital Plan 2016-2021 this week which will deliver €3.8bn in direct funding for primary and secondary schools and third level facilities.

This announcement builds on the already strong commitment we have shown to investing in our children's education.  In Co. Louth, we have invested €67m for major school building and modernisation projects between 2011 and 2015.

The €3.8bn in direct funding being provided in this capital plan will deliver in a number of areas including:

• delivery of 19,000 primary school places by 2018 and 43,000 post-primary school places by 2022
• replacement of existing pre-fab accommodation with permanent classrooms
• provide funding to schools for ongoing refurbishment projects, support minor works and emergency works
• investment of €210m to upgrade school ICT and installation of wireless networks in all schools
• fund Higher Education Research Activities
• provide €110m for facilities in the Higher Education sector
• investment of €200m in the third level sector under PPPs

The investment in education facilities is particularly important at primary and post primary level as we expect the number of students attending primary school to peak in 2018 and again at second level in 2025.  The funding announced through the capital plan will deliver 19,000 primary school places and 43,000 post-primary school places prior to the projected peaks in enrolment.

Each of these areas of investment will have a positive impact for students from primary to third level in the coming years and is very welcome.