Pádraic McCormack
Question:416 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the provision of a new community school for Clifden, County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4253/02]
Written Answers. - Schools Building Projects.
The allocation for post primary buildings in 2002 is €182.31 million, which is a record level of funding and demonstrates the Government's commitment to improving accommodation in post primary schools. This is almost four times the previous Government's investment in 1997.
Because of the greatly increased level of investment in the post primary buildings area since the Government came into office, there has been a substantial increase in the number of major and minor building projects in construction and this has given rise to a record level of building and refurbishment activity.
Clifden community school is to be redeveloped as part of the Government's programme and my Department has recently interviewed candidates for a design team. The question of commencing architectural planning will be considered as soon as possible under the expanded building programme.
Pádraic McCormack
Question:417 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the provision of a new school building for Gaelscoil De hÍde, Oranmore, County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4254/02]
An application for permanent accommodation for the school to which the Deputy refers is at the final stages of examination by the planning section of my Department. As part of this examination, factors such as housing developments, current and projected enrolments and staffing levels are being considered.
A decision will be made shortly on how best to meet the school's long-term accommodation requirements and the school authorities will be advised of the position as soon as possible.
As an interim measure, my Department has sanctioned 95% rental grant-aid for temporary accommodation to cater for the school's short-term requirements.
Seamus Healy
Question:418 Mr. Healy asked the Minister for Education and Science when he will approve the purchase of a site for Gaelscoil Chluain Meala; and when he will approve funding for remedial works recommended by Department appointed architects and the INTO. [4276/02]
The property management section of the Office of Public Works is acting on behalf of my Department in relation to site acquisitions generally and is currently exploring the possibility of acquiring a site for Gaelscoil Chluain Meala.
My Department has provided grant-aid towards remedial works to the roof of the existing building and these works were carried out last year.
Seamus Healy
Question:419 Mr. Healy asked the Minister for Education and Science when he will approve the provision of a sports hall for Scoil Ruain vocational school, Killeneale, County Tipperary. [4277/02]
The allocation for post primary buildings in 2002 is €182.31 million, which is a record level of funding and demonstrates the Government's commitment to improving accommo dation in primary schools. This is almost four times the previous Government's investment in 1997.
Because of the greatly increased level of investment in the post primary buildings area since the Government came into office, there has been a substantial increase in the number of major and minor building projects in construction and this has given rise to a record level of building and refurbishment activity.
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that architectural planning is already under way in respect of this project. The stage 2 submission, outline sketch scheme, for the provision of a PE hall in Scoil Ruain has been received in the building unit of my Department. The building unit's technical team is currently examining the submission. Once this examination is complete, consideration will be given to the progression of the project to the next stage as soon as possible under the expanded building programme.
Willie Penrose
Question:420 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the provision of a new school at Coláiste Cionn Torc, Castlepollard, County Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4278/02]
The allocation for post primary buildings in 2002 is €182.3 million, which is a record level of funding and demonstrates the Government's commitment to improving accommodation in post primary schools. This is almost four times the previous Government's investment in 1997.
Because of the greatly increased level of investment in the post primary buildings area since the Government came into office, there has been a substantial increase in the number of major and minor building projects in construction and this has given rise to a record level of building and refurbishment activity.
In relation to the provision of a new school at Coláiste Cionn Torc, Castlepollard, County Westmeath the building unit of my Department has written to County Westmeath VEC with regard to its stage 4-5 submission, bill of quantities and detail design, of my Department's design team procedures. My Department requires additional information with regard to the submission before the project can be allowed to proceed to the next stage.
Willie Penrose
Question:421 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the provision of additional facilities at Loreto College, Mullingar, County Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4279/02]
The allocation for post primary build ings in 2002 is €182.3 million, which is a record level of funding and demonstrates the Government's commitment to improving accommodation in post primary schools. This is almost four times the previous Government's investment in 1997.
Because of the greatly increased level of investment in the post primary buildings area since this Government came into office, there has been a substantial increase in the number of major and minor building projects in construction and this has given rise to a record level of building and refurbishment activity.
My Department has received a stage 2 submission, outline sketch scheme, of the design team procedures in relation to the provision of additional science laboratories and other facilities at Loreto College, Mullingar, County Westmeath. The building unit of my Department will be in direct contact with the school authorities in relation to the submission.
Willie Penrose
Question:422 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the provision of a new Gaelscoil at Ashe Road, Mullingar, County Westmeath; the timetable for the construction of this school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4280/02]
The allocation for primary buildings in 2002 is €153.6 million, which is a record level of funding and demonstrates the Government's commitment to improving accommodation in primary schools. This is almost four times the previous Government's investment in 1997.
Because of the greatly increased level of activity in the primary buildings area since the Government came into office, there has been a substantial increase in the number of major and minor building projects in construction and this has given rise to a record level of building and refurbishment activity.
Architectural planning for the provision of a new Gaelscoil in Mullingar has been completed. The project will continue to the invitation of tenders, as soon as possible, under the expanded building programme.
Breeda Moynihan-Cronin
Question:423 Mrs. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason for the four year delay in transferring a site at Dromnevane, Kenmare, County Kerry, from his Department to Kerry County Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4281/02]
In 1998 my Department agreed, in principle, to the request from Kerry County Council to purchase a portion of land, which formed part of the site for the new community school in Kenmare, subject to certain conditions. Following negotiations, contracts were prepared and exchanged in 2000. In March 2001 objections and requisitions on title were received in my Department. These had to be dealt with to facilitate the preparation and execution of a deed of transfer transferring the land formally from my Department to Kerry County Council. These have now been dealt with and I expect the deed of transfer will be executed very shortly.