Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 20 Mar 2001

Vol. 532 No. 4

Written Answers. - School Accommodation.

David Stanton

Question:

611 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will ensure that all new primary schools and such schools currently under construction will have rooms and equipment to facilitate learning support and resource teaching activity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7537/01]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods):

An accommodation brief for a new primary school is determined in advance of the project proceeding to construction. The process involves architectural planning and the granting of planning permission. It is not feasible, therefore, to alter an accommodation brief while a project is at construction stage.

While my Department is prepared to consider an application from a board of management for accommodation for specialist support teaching, boards are expected to make provision for additional teachers from the broad range of ancil lary accommodation being provided in new schools.

Because of the large number of school building projects currently being processed by my Department and the priority to be afforded to such projects it is not possible to give any indication at this point as to when further accommodation for a school currently under construction would be provided.

David Stanton

Question:

612 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of primary schools; the further number of these that are equipped with a separate room to enable learning support and remedial education to take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7538/01]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods):

There are just under 3,300 primary schools at present, including special schools but excluding non-aided schools. While my Department has detailed information on the extent of the accommodation in a substantial number of individual schools, it does not have a comprehensive, readily accessible database of information in the format requested by the Deputy. This matter is being addressed in the context of an inventory of accommodation which is planned. The inventory will take a considerable period of time to complete.

David Stanton

Question:

613 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Education if, further to Parliamentary Question No. 249 of 6 February 2001, he will ensure that sanction is given to provide a room to enable learning support teaching to take place at Walterstown national school, Cobh, County Cork. [7539/01]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods):

My Department has issued an application form to the management authorities of Walterstown national school, Cobh, County Cork.

However, in view of the large number of school building projects currently being dealt with by my Department and the priority to be afforded to such projects, it is not possible to give any indication at this point as to when an application from the management authorities of Walterstown national school will be processed.