Vol. 553 No. 2
240 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the plans he will make for the implementation of the school building programme in County Meath for those schools where buildings works have not been commenced; the chronological list of the works which will be commenced at the schools in County Meath which are on his Department's building programme already; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12992/02]
Architectural planning for school building projects in County Meath where design teams have been appointed and where building work has not yet commenced will continue until the relevant projects are ready to proceed to tender.
Decisions on projects proceeding to tender and construction are taken in the light of the annual allocation for primary school buildings, the financial commitments to be met and the priority to be afforded to individual projects. As the rate of progress of school building projects to the point where tenders can be invited varies considerably depending on the size and complexity of the work envisaged, it is not possible to give precise dates for the commencement of work on site.
Later this year, when a financial allocation has been made for the primary school building programme in the 2003 Estimates, I will be framing a further comprehensive programme of works that will proceed to construction. It is also my intention to bring greater transparency to the operation of the school building programme and I intend to publish the programme annually.
