Noel Ahern
Question:132 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for Education and Science when new windows will be installed in a school (details supplied) in Dublin 11. [3454/01]
Written Answers. - Schools Refurbishment.
Grant aid was approved by my Department in November 2000 for roofing works and replacement windows at the school in question.
It is a matter for the school authorities to liaise with the contractor regarding a commencement date for the works.
Noel Ahern
Question:133 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for Education and Science the duties, responsibilities and expected involvement of school boards and chairpersons and their role in relation to capital improvement works (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3455/01]
While most of the detailed matters referred to in the Deputy's question are discharged by a design team and specifically the design team leader, a school management authority plays a significant role in managing a capital project. The main areas for a school authority in this matter relate to design team selection and appointment, ensuring that each submission emanating from its design team is delivered within a previously agreed timescale and complies with the design team procedures of my Department.
A management authority can ensure compliance with my Department's design team procedures by frequently meeting with its design team. Such meetings provide an opportunity for a management authority to understand the purpose of a stage and to assess how the emerging plans achieve the overall purpose. Additionally, at such meetings, a management authority can seek confirmation from its design team that the project is within the area limits and cost norms set down at the start of the project. In the case of a project that does not comply with area and/or cost norms, a management authority should request and assess written explanations for non-adherence to the parameters set down.
A management authority is expected to pay the contractor on foot of moneys disbursed from my Department. Before a building project is handed over to a school management authority, as end user, it is expected that the management authority be satisfied with the building.