Vol. 542 No. 2
555 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Science when work on a school at Clara, County Kilkenny will commence; the status of this project; and if a timeframe exists for the construction of the facility. [24188/01]
My Department has received an application for grant aid towards the cost of a building project at the school in question. The Deputy will appreciate that there has been a massive and unprecedented increase in the funds allocated by this Government to the schools building programme at all levels. Decisions relating to the rate of progress to construction of these projects, including the school referred to by the Deputy, will be taken in the light of the allocations to be made for school building purposes in the forthcoming Estimates.
556 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Science the status of an application by Nurney national school for an extension; and if there is an agreed timeframe for the provision of the extension and completion of the work. [24189/01]
My Department has received an appli cation for grant aid towards the cost of a building project at Nurney national school. The Deputy will appreciate that there has been a massive and unprecedented increase in the funds allocated by this Government to the schools building programme at all levels. Decisions relating to the rate of progress to construction of these projects, including Nurney national school, will be taken in the light of the allocations to be made for school building purposes in the forthcoming Estimates.
557 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Science when a decision will be made regarding the future management structure of St. Brigid's school, Goresbridge, County Kilkenny; if a decision regarding the involvement of the VEC is imminent; if this decision will be expedited; if the prefab classrooms based on the specifications submitted by the school are ready; when the building will be erected on site; if issues raised by the property owners have been resolved by the Department; and, if not, if there is a timeframe for concluding the discussions and establishing agreement. [24190/01]
A proposal regarding the future of St. Brigid's secondary school, Goresbridge, which is seeking to become a community college under the aegis of County Kilkenny VEC, is being examined by officials in my Department. Consideration of the issue is at an advanced stage and a formal written response will issue to all parties as soon as I have determined the appropriate course of action.
The proposal to provide prefabricated classrooms for the school is designed to resolve the accommodation difficulties facing the school in the short-term. The resolution of the issues raised by the property owners, in relation to the provision of a site for prefabricated accommodation, is a matter between them and the school management authority. Following the resolution of these issues, which are ongoing at this time, my Department will then be in a position to appoint a consultant architect to oversee the prompt delivery of prefabricated accommodation at this school. I do not anticipate any difficulty in reaching agreement with the school authority on the extent of the accommodation required.
