Vol. 548 No. 2
475 Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for Education and Science when approval will issue for a project (details supplied) in County Kilkenny to proceed to tender in order that the required works can commence in early summer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4771/02]
The allocation for post-primary buildings in 2002 is €182.31 million, which is a record level of funding and demonstrates this Government's commitment to improving the accommodation situation in post-primary schools.
Due to 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.
As the Deputy may be aware, officials from the building unit of my Department have been in close contact with the school authorities in relation to the delivery of the proposed project to which the Deputy refers.
Due to the nature and scope of the proposed project, the works concerned may only proceed to construction in the summer months. The consultant architect will be issued with instructions to proceed to tender as soon as possible, so that the start date envisaged may be realised.
476 Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will outline, further to Parliamentary Question No. 338 of 27 November 2001, the progress which has since been made regarding both projects. [4772/01]
The allocation for post-primary buildings in 2002 is €182.31 million, which is a record level of funding and demonstrates this Government's commitment to improving the accommodation situation in post-primary schools.
Due to 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.
The condition report referred to in Parliamentary Question No. 338 of 27 November 2001, was received in the building unit of my Department in mid-January 2002 and is being assessed by professional staff of that unit. Their review of this report will be completed shortly.
The process of determining the long-term projected enrolment figures for the centre to which the Deputy refers is under way in the planning unit of my Department.
477 Mr. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding a school project (details supplied) in County Cork; and if his attention has been drawn to the urgency in having the project completed. [4773/02]
In 1998 the school authorities in question sought approval for the provision of a PE hall. My Department agreed to the provision of a hall of 608 m² and a further 200 m² of ancillary accommodation.
In January of last year the authorities of the school requested my Department to assess its overall accommodation needs and to include the PE and ancillary needs in that assessment.
As the school was now effectively requesting a potentially more significant capital investment, my Department sought to establish the long-term viability and enrolment projections for the school. Last summer it was agreed with the school authorities that a long-term projected enrolment of 500 pupils was a reasonable basis on which to base the detailed assessment of the school's future accommodation requirements.
In August last my Department provided the school with a draft schedule of overall accommodation seeking its agreement. This draft was based on an educational worksheet prepared by the school showing its curricular options. The school authorities responded in October with some queries. My Department addressed these issues and a revised schedule was recently issued to the school. As soon as the school authorities agree the schedule the question of designing accommodation for the future needs of the school can be addressed.
