Vol. 469 No. 4
46 Mr. Flanagan asked the Minister for Education if she will make a statement on the need to provide increased education facilities at a vocational school (details supplied) in County Laois; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17595/96]
A new vocational school at the location in question to cater for a long-term enrolment of 200 pupils has been approved. The new school will replace the existing vocational school and will be constructed on a site donated free of charge by the local community development association.
Officials of the post-primary building unit of my Department are currently examining the stage one documentation, site suitability/site report, which has been submitted by the school's design team as part of the architectural planning of the proposed school. When this submission is found to be in order, arrangements will be set in place for a planning and briefing meeting in order to progress this project further.
Approval was recently given for the provision of two additional general classrooms, in prefabricated accommodation, for the existing school. Tender details are currently being examined by the post-primary building unit's technical staff and when these details are found to be in order, the matter will be progressed further.
47 Mr. Flanagan asked the Minister for Education the current position in relation to the proposed extension to a school (details supplied) in County Laois. [17596/96]
The provision of new accommodation at the school referred to by the Deputy was considered for inclusion in my Department's 1996 capital programme. However, in the light of other priority projects and the financial allocation available, it was not possible to include this project in the current capital programme. The project will be considered for inclusion in my Department's next capital programme.
