Vol. 553 No. 5
232 Dr. Cowley asked the Minister for Education and Science when the proposed restructuring and general purpose room addition for Cooneal national school, Ballina, County Mayo will proceed to architectural planning; when the preparation of tender documents, due to the dangerous and sub-standard condition (details supplied), will proceed; if this matter will be urgently addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14538/02]
My Department has an extensive primary school building programme under way at present and 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 be framing a further comprehensive programme of works and this will involve putting more projects into architectural planning. The needs of Cooneal national school will be considered at that time.
233 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the proposed new building for a school (details supplied) in County Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14539/02]
A stage 2 – outline sketch scheme – submission for the proposed re-development of the school to which the Deputy refers has been received in my Department and is being considered. When complete, and if found satisfactory, the matter of progressing to the next stage will be determined.
234 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the proposed new national school at Dysart, County Westmeath. [14540/02]
Architectural planning for a building project at Dysart 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 Dysart 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.
235 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress which has been made in the provision of additional classroom facilities at Our Lady's Bower secondary school, Athlone, County Westmeath. [14541/02]
Recently my Department received an educational worksheet from the management authority of Our Lady's Bower secondary school. The worksheet will be used to compile a schedule of overall accommodation which will determine the school's deficit, if any, of accommodation.
236 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the provision of additional facilities at Sonna national school, County Westmeath. [14543/02]
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 that will proceed to construction. The needs of the school concerned 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.
