Batt O'Keeffe
Question:481 Mr. B. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Education and Science when a new national school will be approved for Passage West, County Cork. [28826/01]
Written Answers. - Schools Building Projects.
My Department has received an application for grant aid towards the cost of a building project at Passage West national school.
The Deputy will appreciate that there has been a massive and unprecedented increase in the funds allocated by this Government to the building programme at all levels. The allocation in the current year is £370.5 million, 470.4 million. This is almost four times the allocation made by the previous Government in 1997. This level of fund ing has enabled my Department to undertake a record number of building projects, and it is my intention to continue this rate of progress in overcoming the deficit arising from many past years and in meeting the needs of the present day.
Decisions relating to the rate of progress to construction of individual projects, including the proposed project at Passage West national school, will be taken as in previous years in light of the allocations to be made for school building purposes and when all budget decisions have been taken by the Government.
Emmet Stagg
Question:482 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Science the arrangements for the public private partnership regarding Coláiste Cois Life, Lucan, County Dublin; when phase 1 of the building works will be completed; the position in relation to phase 2; when the school will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28827/01]
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the design team is currently working on a stage 3 submission, developed sketch scheme, for the provision of a new school for Coláiste Cois Life. It is not intended to undertake this project as a public private partnership.
Austin Currie
Question:483 Mr. Currie asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason for the lack of progress in providing the permanent building for Coláiste Cois Life, Lucan, County Dublin (details supplied); when the work commenced on the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28838/01]
I wish to inform the Deputy that the design team is currently working on a stage 3 submission, developed sketch scheme, for the provision of a new school for Coláiste Cois Life. Architectural planning commenced for this project in 1998.
The key to expediting progress with the planning of this new school is the client only accepting from its design team submissions that are in compliance with my Department's design team procedures.
Cecilia Keaveney
Question:484 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding an extension to a school (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28843/01]
An extension of 2,268 mf7>2 is being planned for the school in question to cater for a long-term projected enrolment of 950 pupils. The project is progressing through architectural planning.
A stage 4-5 submission, encompassing detail design and bill of quantities, is currently under consideration by the staff in the building unit of my Department.