Vol. 553 No. 2
357 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Education and Science if, further to Parliamentary Question No. 189 of 23 April 2002, he will outline the progress made regarding the provision of additional accommodation for St. Enda's national school Carraroe; when it will progress to the next stage; the reason for the delays; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13559/02]
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 St. Enda's 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 timelines relating to their project.
358 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Education and Science if, further to Parliamentary Question No. 617 of 17 April 2002, he will outline the progress made on the refurbishment and extension to Rockfield national school, Coolaney; when it will progress to the next stage; the reason for the delays; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13560/02]
Architectural planning for a building project at Rockfield 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 been approved and published. It is not envisaged that the proposed building project at Rockfield 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.
359 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Education and Science if, further to Parliamentary Question No. 770 of 17 April 2002, he will outline the progress made with the new school in Coola, County Sligo; when it will progress to the next stage; the reason for the delays; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13561/02]
My Department has an extensive schools building programme under way at present. The programme includes a very substantial programme of works scheduled to go to site in the course of the year as well as a large number of projects at various stages of planning. Decisions relating to additional projects proceeding to planning are taken having regard to the annual allocation for capital projects, existing commitments and priority afforded to each individual project. It is not envisaged at this stage that planning for a building project at Coola vocational school will be initiated prior to the publication of the Estimates later this year. When the financial allocation has been made for the second level schools building programme for 2003, this school's application will be reviewed and officials of my Department will be in direct contact with the school's management authority. The Deputy will be aware that in 2000 my Department approved a capital investment at this school in excess of €380,000.
360 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Education and Science if, further to Parliamentary Question No. 711 of 17 April 2002, he will outline the progress made on the refurbishment of Scoil Ursula primary school, Strandhill Road, Sligo; when it will progress to the next stage; the reason for the delays; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13562/02]
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 Scoil Ursula primary 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 timelines relating to their project.
