Vol. 553 No. 2
271 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason funding is not being provided for the building of St. James's national school, Bushypark, Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13024/02]
Architectural planning for a building project at St. James's national school, Bushypark, Galway, is currently at an advanced stage. 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.
An extensive building programme for 2002 has already been approved and published. It is not envisaged that the proposed building project at St. James's national school will proceed to construction in 2002.
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 and the school concerned will be one of those considered for inclusion in that programme.
It is my intention to bring greater transparency to the operation of the school building programme and I intend to publish the programme annually. I am also anxious to build a multi-annual dimension into the published programme so that schools will have an indication of the expected time-lines relating to their project.
272 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the proposals to extend and renovate a school (details supplied) in Dublin 8; when this proposal was first received; the process it has gone through since; the projected starting date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13025/02]
Architectural planning for a building project at the school referred to by the Deputy is at an advanced stage. 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.
An extensive building programme for 2002 has already been approved and published. It is not envisaged that the proposed building project at the school referred to by the Deputy will proceed to construction in 2002.
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 and the school concerned will be one of those considered for inclusion in that programme.
It is my intention to bring greater transparency to the operation of the school building programme and I intend to publish the programme annually. I am also anxious to build a multi-annual dimension into the published programme so that schools will have an indication of the expected time-lines relating to their project.
