Vol. 475 No. 5
150 Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for Education if the feasibility study commissioned by her Department has been completed for the amalgamation of Slieverue vocational school and the convent at Ferrybank on the borders of Waterford and Kilkenny; if a decision has been made with regard to the location and type of school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5251/97]
Agreement has been reached to amalgamate Slieverue vocational school and the Sacred Heart secondary school, Ferrybank, County Waterford. The new school is to be a community school.
A feasibility study, to ascertain the suitability of the convent site and buildings for development, has been completed and the conclusion is that it is a suitable location for the development of the new community school.
A valuation has been done on the Ferrybank site with a view to acquiring it. When the purchase terms have been agreed, a design team will be appointed to undertake architectural planning. At this early stage, it is not possible to say when construction will commence.
151 Mr. B. Smith asked the Minister for Education the current stage of planning of the new Clifferna-Tierlahood national school; the level of accommodation to be provided in this new building; when tenders will be sought; when construction work will commence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5252/97]
The current position is that a suitable site has been cleared by my Department's architectural staff and an outline sketch scheme based on providing three standard classrooms plus ancillary accommodation was recently forwarded to the school authorities for their consideration.
As the project is in the early stages of architectural planning, it is not possible to state when tenders will be sought or construction commence. However, I can assure the Deputy every effort will be made to ensure this project progresses through the various stages as quickly as possible.
