Paul McGrath
Question:74 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the proposed building project for Clonmellon national school, County Westmeath. [13926/02]
Written Answers. - Schools Building Projects.
Architectural planning for a building project at Clonmellon national school is at an early stage.
Decisions on projects proceeding to tender and construction are taken in the light of the annual allocation for primary school buildings, the financial commitments to be met and the priority to be afforded to individual projects. An extensive building programme for 2002 has already been approved and published. It is not envisaged that the proposed building project at Clonmellon national school will proceed to construction in 2002.
Later this year, when a financial allocation has been made for the primary school building programme in the 2003 Estimates, I will frame a further comprehensive programme of works that will proceed to construction. The school concerned will be one of those considered for inclusion in that programme.
I intend to bring greater transparency to the operation of the school building programme and to publish the programme annually. I am also anxious to build a multi-annual dimension into the published programme so that schools will have an indication of the expected timelines relating to their project.
Paul McGrath
Question:75 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the need for additional accommodation at Gainstown national school, County Westmeath; and the position regarding this project. [13927/02]
At present my Department has an extensive primary school building programme under way. This includes a large number of projects at various stages of architectural planning.
Decisions on additional projects proceeding to architectural planning are taken in the light of the annual allocation for capital projects, the financial commitments to be met and the priority to be afforded to individual projects. The programme for 2002 is in place and the schools concerned have been notified.
Later this year, when a financial allocation has been made for the primary school building programme in the 2003 Estimates, I will frame a further comprehensive programme of works and this will involve putting more projects into architectural planning. The needs of Gainstown national school will be considered at that time.
I intend to bring greater transparency to the operation of the school building programme and to publish the programme annually. I am also anxious to build a multi-annual dimension into the published programme so that schools will have an indication of the expected timelines relating to their project.
Paul McGrath
Question:76 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the schools building projects which are awaiting approval within his Department; the estimated cost for each of these projects; the projects approved since 1 January; the estimated cost of these projects; and the projected timeframe for the completion of these projects. [13928/02]
Earlier this year my predecessor published, on my Department's website www.irlgov.ie/educ, an extensive building programme for 2002. The information included a list of major primary building projects in architectural planning, projects under construction, projects approved to go to tender or where tenders had been accepted and projects approved for work during the summer holiday period. This information will be updated on a regular basis.
Later this year, when a financial allocation has been made for the primary school building programme in the 2003 Estimates, I will frame a further comprehensive programme of works that will proceed to construction. The schools in architectural planning will be considered for inclusion in that programme.
It is not the practice of my Department to indicate in advance of obtaining tenders the estimated cost of building projects. The Deputy will appreciate that to do so would compromise the tendering process.