Seán Barrett
Question:378 Mr. Barrett asked the Minister for Education and Science if an extension will be sanctioned for a school (details supplied) in County Dublin. [30439/01]
Written Answers. - Schools Building Projects.
Stage 6 – tender action and report – documentation was submitted to my Department's building unit in October 2001. The documentation is being examined by my Department's staff. The building unit of my Department will be in touch with the school authorities shortly in the matter.
Pádraic McCormack
Question:379 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the proposed refurbishment and extension of Calasanctius College, Oranmore, County Galway; if provision is made for financing this project in the 2002 Estimates; when work is likely to commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30440/01]
My Department recently approved the stage 4 – detailed design – submission for the proposed new school at Calasanctius College. The board of management was then authorised to proceed to stage 5 – bill of quantities. My Department also instructed the school's design team to undertake the selection of contractors in accordance with public procurement. At this stage it is not be possible to say exactly when the project will go on site.
Michael D'Arcy
Question:380 Mr. D'Arcy asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding an application for an extension by Riverchapel national school, Courtown, Gorey, County Wexford; and the stage the work is at. [30442/01]
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that a building project at Riverchapel national school, Courtown, Gorey, County Wexford, is at an advanced stage of architectural planning.
Question No. 381 answered with Question No. 377.
Michael Ring
Question:382 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science when funding will be made available for Ardagh national school, County Mayo. [30457/01]
Architectural planning is under way at present for a building project at Ardagh national school.
The Deputy will appreciate that there has been a massive and unprecedented increase in the funds allocated by the 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 funding 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 Ardagh national school, will be taken as in previous years in the light of the allocations to be made for school building purposes and when all budget decisions have been taken by the Government.