Vol. 553 No. 2
285 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Science the position in relation to the provision of a new school for the Downs, Mullingar, County Westmeath; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that this school is on the A category list, and is also providing special needs facilities; if this school can be given approval without further delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13038/02]
Architectural planning for a building project at the Downs national school is at an early 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 Downs 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.
286 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress which has been made to date by his Department in the provision of a new school at Curraghmore, Mullingar, County Westmeath. [13039/02]
My Department recently informed the management authorities of Curraghmore national school that its consulting engineer may prepare tender documents for proposed mechanical and electrical works at the school. A separate application for refurbishment works, which were requested by the school authorities earlier this year, is also being dealt with by my Department's building unit.
My Department has an extensive primary school building programme under way at present and this includes a large number of projects at various stages of architectural planning. Decisions on additional projects proceeding to architectural planning are taken in the light of the annual allocation for capital projects, the financial commitments to be met and the priority to be afforded to individual projects. The programme for 2002 is in place and the schools concerned have been notified.
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 and this will involve putting more projects into architectural planning. The needs of Curraghmore national school will be considered at that time.
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.
287 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason his Department has failed to deal with stage 4-5 documents, submitted on 17 May 2001 by St. Mary's CBS, Mullingar, in relation to their extension which is urgently required due to the deteriorating condition of the current buildings; if he will authorise the school authorities to immediately proceed to stage 6 and replace the flat roofs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13040/02]
Concerning the building project at St. Mary's CBS secondary school, Mullingar, County Westmeath, stage 4-5 documents have been dealt with by my Department. Approval to proceed to stage 6 was given in April 2002 and the building unit now awaits the submission of stage 6 documentation, tender action and report.
288 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress which has been made to date in relation to an application for additional accommodation from a school (details supplied) in County Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13041/02]
Regarding the provision of additional accommodation at the school referred to by the Deputy my Department has recently asked the school's management authority to complete an educational worksheet in order to determine the extent and type of the additional accommodation, if any, required at the school.
289 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Science the position in relation to the application for additional accommodation applied for by a school (details supplied) in County Westmeath; when this accommodation will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13042/02]
My Department has an extensive primary school building programme under way at present and this includes a large number of projects at various stages of architectural planning.
Decisions on additional projects proceeding to architectural planning are taken in the light of the annual allocation for capital projects, the financial commitments to be met and the priority to be afforded to individual projects. The programme for 2002 is in place and the schools concerned have been notified.
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 and this will involve putting more projects into architectural planning. The needs of the school referred to by the Deputy will be considered at that time.
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 timeframes relating to their project.
290 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will approve an application for increased accommodation by Sonna national school, County Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13043/02]
My Department has an extensive primary school building programme under way at present and this includes a large number of projects at various stages of architectural planning.
291 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Science the position in relation to the provision of an extension to a school (details supplied) in County Westmeath; if these works can be progressed without further undue delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13044/02]
Architectural planning for a building project at the school referred to by the Deputy is at an early 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 in question 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 timeframes relating to their project.
292 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Science the status of an application by a primary school (details supplied) in County Westmeath for assistance for increased accommodation requirements and improved sewerage facilities; when final approval will be granted to this application which was made some time ago; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13045/02]
Architectural planning for a building project at the school referred to by the Deputy is at an early 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 in question 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 timeframes relating to their project.
293 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Science the application for a new permanent school by Gaelscoil an Mhuilinn, Mullingar, County Westmeath can be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13046/02]
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that tenders have been invited for the provision of a new eight-classroom school for Gaelscoil an Mhuilinn, Mullingar, County Westmeath.
294 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Science if a timescale has been set for the commencement of the construction of the new school at Coralstown, Mullingar, County Westmeath; when it will be completed and ready for occupation by the students and teachers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13047/02]
Architectural planning for a proposed new three-classroom school at Coralstown, Mullingar, County Westmeath is progressing.
The project was included as part of an extensive building programme for 2002 which was approved earlier this year. Architectural planning will continue until the project is ready to go to tender, at which point my Department will be in contact with the school authorities.
295 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Science the position in relation to an application by a school (details supplied) in County Westmeath for additional accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13048/02]
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 in question 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 timeframes relating to their project.
296 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress to date in providing additional accommodation at Clonmellon national school, County Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13050/02]
Architectural planning for a building project at Clonmellon national school is at an early 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 Clonmellon 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.
297 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Science his views and the position regarding the application by St. Etchen's national school, Kinnegad for additional accommodation; when same will be in a position to commence at this school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13051/02]
Architectural planning for a building project at St. Etchen's national school, Kinnegad is at an early 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. Etchen'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 timelines relating to their project.
