Minister to pay for classroom laptops with building funds
MILLIONS of euro earmarked for school building this year is to be diverted to pay for long-overdue computers in schools.
A storm erupted yesterday when it emerged that the Department of Education has, so far, spent only 52pc of the 2009 school building budget.
It sparked fury among the 1,200 schools currently seeking approval to go ahead with major building projects -- some of them waiting for years.
Education Minister Batt O'Keeffe pledged yesterday to spend all of this year's capital budget, but hasn't said how.
He conceded that the capital budget also covered areas like information and communications technology (ICT) in schools and said spending on that could increase this year. This was taken as a clear signal that the money is likely to fund a much-needed IT programme.
The department's capital budget for 2009 is €841m, including €614m for primary and second-level schools and about €200m for third level. Of the total amount, €455m was spent up to the end of September -- this includes €321m, or 52pc, of the money earmarked for primary and second level. The 52pc spent on primary and second-level schools over nine months compares with 74pc last year and 66pc the previous year, fuelling concerns that not all projects will be carried out as planned.
Mr O'Keeffe attributed the underspend partly to lower building costs, delays arising from a new form of public works contract, and the large number of relatively small projects in school buildings.
He said spending would continue up to the end of the year and he was considering all options regarding an underspend -- including carrying over 10pc of the capital fund, about €85m, into next year which is allowed.
Mr O'Keeffe has been sitting on a high-powered report on ICT in schools, prepared by leading industrialists, outlining the need for urgent investment in technology in schools.
The report's recommendations, which include a laptop in every classroom to be phased in from this year, have been awaiting a cash injection. But the threat to the school building fund has caused shockwaves among educationalists and builders
Ferdia Kelly, general secretary of the Joint Managerial Body (JMB), representing secondary school managers, said they were "very seriously concerned that such an underspend should occur when so many schools have been waiting years for the go-ahead to upgrade inadequate school buildings".
Sheila Nunan, the incoming general secretary Irish National Teachers Organisation, said that with almost one in three primary schools requiring major building works it "beggars belief" that funds remained unspent.
Teachers Union of Ireland president Don Ryan said some of the most marginalised students were being taught in dilapidated and unsafe centres around the country.
And Construction Industry Federation director general Tom Parlon said the department's underspend put 4,000 jobs at risk and cost the Exchequer €200m in lost taxes and increased social welfare payments.
Prefabs
Fine Gael education spokesman Brian Hayes said it was "ridiculous that €50m was spent renting prefabs this year -- and €100m was spent over the last three years -- while moneys allocated for capital projects go unspent".
Labour education spokesman Ruairi Quinn added: "This ridiculous situation highlights the urgent need to replace Batt O'Keeffe's 'smoke and mirrors' system of deciding what building project gets the green light with one that is fully transparent."
Sean Cottrell, director of the Irish Primary Principals Network, said yesterday that a survey showed that 89 schools said they were currently awaiting the final go-ahead from the department to invite tenders and begin development.
- Katherine Donnelly
Irish Independent
