Vol. 476 No. 7
269 Mrs. O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education the building plans, if any, there are for St. Oliver's post primary school, Oldcastle, County Meath; if she will take into account the feasibility study for this school which shows that there is little financial difference between remedial works to the existing building and the provision of a new school on the same site; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8214/97]
Because of the condition of the existing accommodation at St. Oliver's post primary school, Oldcastle, the Department requested that a technical assessment be carried out before any decision is made on whether to extend the existing school or provide a new school.
270 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Education the current position on the proposed extension to a school (details supplied) in County Cork. [8215/97]
An extension is currently being planned for the school in question.
Architectural planning is proceeding and the technical staff of my Department are currently examining the combined stage four and five submission for this project. When this submission has been approved, the question of inviting tenders will then be considered.
At this stage, it is not possible to indicate when the project will proceed to construction as this will depend on the availability of funding and the Department's other commitments and priorities. However, every effort is being made to have the planning of the extension completed as soon as possible.
272 Mr. S. Brennan asked the Minister for Education the current position in relation to approved additional classroom accommodation for a school (details supplied) in Dublin 14; the expected timescale for the work to begin in view of the fact that the accommodation is required for September 1997; the cost of the project; if funding is available for the work in the current capital programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8217/97]
My Department agrees in principle to the need for additional accommodation at the school referred to by the Deputy.
At present, I am not in a position to provide funding for the project. The Deputy will be aware that there were major cuts in the capital funding of primary schools in the 1988-92 period and consequently there is a backlog of deserving projects. The school will be considered again in the context of future capital allocations.
