Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 30 Jan 2001

Vol. 529 No. 1

Written Answers. - School Buildings.

John Bruton

Question:

1163 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science if any schools in County Meath have responded to his recent circular indicating that they have spare capacity and are willing to consider use of such capacity for child care purposes, or have spare capacity being used for other purposes which they are willing to make available alternatively for child care purposes; if he will provide the identity of the schools in question; and when money will be made available to the schools in question to assist them in making the adjustments necessary to their premises for the purpose of providing child care. [1270/01]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods)

A total of nine primary schools and two second level schools in County Meath indicated that they have spare classroom accommodation which they would be prepared to make available for child care purposes. Details of the schools are set out on the following table.

Questionnaire regarding spare classroom accommodation in primary schools in County Meath.

School	No. of Rooms Available For Child-Care.
St. Andrew's N.S;Curragha,Ashbourne.	1
Donore N.S;Donore.041-9880118	1
Kilbride N.S;Kilbride,Trim.046-31945	1
Kilmessan N.S;Kilmessan.046-25532	1
Scoil an Spioraid Naoimh, Laytown041-9828091.	2
St. Joseph's Convent,Navan.046-21989	1
Nobber N.S;Nobber.046-52000	1
St.Patrick's N.S;Stamullen,01-8411804	1
St. Mary's Convent N.S;Patrick Street, Trim.	1
Beaufort CollegeVocational School,Trim Road,Navan.046-28915	1

The survey is now complete and the information has been passed to Area Development Management Ltd for use in targeting State support to areas most in need of additional child care places. It is envisaged that where suitable school accommodation is identified and confirmed, appropriate supports, including financial assistance, will be made available to bring the additional capacity on stream as quickly as possible. In this regard, consultations are under way with other Government Departments and agencies with responsibility in this area, including the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, which has primary responsibility for the development and implementation of appropriate strategies in relation to child care provision. I will make any necessary arrangements to support the advancement of Government policy in relation to child care and, in particular, to increase the number of child care places through the use of spare school classrooms for this purpose.