Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 26 Feb 2002

Vol. 549 No. 3

Written Answers. - Schools Building Projects.

Ned O'Keeffe

Question:

461 Mr. N. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the provision of an extension to a school (details supplied) in County Cork; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that work on the feasibility study relating to this extension has ceased; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6858/02]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods)

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 accommodation in post-primary schools. This is almost four times the previous Government's investment 1997.

In view 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.

As the Deputy will be aware there are two applications currently to hand in the post-primary building unit in respect of this school. As stated in my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 478 of 12 February 2002, both the feasibility study and the planning process has been completed in respect of works to make the school universally accessible and the management authority of the school has been requested to submit revised tender documentation for the proposed works. A decision to progress this project will be made on receipt of a response from the management authority. A decision to authorise the school authority to request its design team to commence the preparation of a feasibility study to report on the long-term needs of the school will be made shortly and officials of the post primary building unit will be in contact with the management authority of the school regarding this issue.

Seymour Crawford

Question:

462 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Education and Science when funds will be made available to Lacken national school for building to commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6881/02]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods)

The allocation for primary buildings in 2002 is €153.6 million, which is a record level of funding and demonstrates this Government's commitment to improving accommodation in primary schools. This is almost four times the previous Government's investment in 1997.

In view of the greatly increased level of activity in the 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.

Lacken national school is being extended and refurbished as part of the Government's programme and is currently in architectural planning. The project will continue to the preparation of tender documents and the invitation of tenders, as soon as possible, under the expanded building programme.

Dinny McGinley

Question:

463 Mr. McGinley asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the proposed new vocational school for Stranorlar, County Donegal [6901/02]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods)

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. This is almost four times the previous Government's investment in 1997.

In view 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.

I have decided that a new school building with a total area of 3,313 square metres, including the PE hall, is to be provided for Stranorlar vocational school to cater for a long-term projected enrolment of 325 pupils. A site is available for this development. The building unit of my Department is examining the various ways in which the project can be delivered at present.