Vol. 553 No. 3
78 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the fact that from September over 200 pupils at St. Etchen's national school, Kinnegad, County Westmeath will be accommodated in prefabs; his views on whether this is appropriate, taking into account health and safety considerations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13930/02]
79 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science if an application for a major extension to St. Etchen's has been received by his Department; the date of this application; the progress to date on this project; and the reason sums of money are being expended on prefabs at this school rather than advancing the school extension. [13931/02]
82 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the fact that from September over 200 pupils at St. Etchen's will be accommodated in prefabs; his views on whether this is appropriate, taking into account health and safety considerations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14001/02]
83 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science if an application for a major extension to St. Etchen's has been received by his Department; the date of this application; the progress to date on this project; and the reason sums of money are being expended on prefabs at this school rather than advancing the school extension. [14002/02]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 78, 79, 82 and 83 together.
Architectural planning for a building project at St. Etchen's 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.
80 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the estimated expenditure on providing three additional prefabs for St. Etchen's national school, Kinnegad; and the expected total cost of this project. [13932/02]
81 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science if his Department will fund additional hard-top play areas at St. Etchen's to compensate for the areas lost to accommodate additional prefabs. [13933/02]
84 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the estimated expenditure on providing three additional prefabs for St. Etchen's; and the expected total cost of this project. [14003/02]
85 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science if his Department will fund additional hard-top play areas at St. Etchen's to compensate for the areas lost to accommodate additional prefabs. [14004/02]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 80, 81, 84 and 85 together.
It is not the practice of my Department to indicate in advance of obtaining tenders the estimated cost of a project. The Deputy will appreciate that to do so would compromise the tendering process. An application for additional play area at St. Etchen's has been received and is currently being considered by my Department. The school authorities will be kept informed of developments.
