Jack Wall
Question:302 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the proposed extension. [13056/02]
Written Answers. - Schools Building Projects.
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that my Department has recently authorised the school in question to seek tenders for a major building project.
Jack Wall
Question:303 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding a proposed new school (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13057/02]
The property management section of the Office of Public Works has been requested by my Department to report on the possibility of acquiring a site for the school in question. As soon as a report is received the matter will be given further consideration.
Jack Wall
Question:304 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the provision of a new school (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13058/02]
Architectural planning for a building project at the school in question 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.
Jack Wall
Question:305 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding a school (details supplied) in County Kildare in regard to a proposed new school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13059/02]
Joe Higgins
Question:329 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will sanction funds necessary for the upgrading and refurbishment of Mulhuddart national school, Dublin 15. [13190/02]
I propose to answer Questions Nos. 305 and 329 together.
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 in relation to the timing of the commencement of architectural planning for the permanent accommodation will be 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 in question 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.