Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 9 Oct 2002

Vol. 554 No. 5

Written Answers. - Schools Building Projects.

Jimmy Deenihan

Question:

521 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will allow the proposed extension to St. Teresa's national school, Kilflynn, Tralee, County Kerry, to proceed to detail design and bills of quantities stage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15523/02]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. N. Dempsey):

Architectural planning for a building project at St. Teresa's national school, Kilflynn 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.

My Department has an extensive primary school building programme for 2002 under way, details of which are available on my Department's website at www.education.ie. It is not envisaged that the proposed building project at St. Teresa's national school, Kilflynn 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 frame 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. My Department will be in contact with the schools concerned when the programme for 2003 is published.

Jerry Cowley

Question:

522 Dr. Cowley asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason his Department allows the endangerment of children at Drumslide National School; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15547/02]

Jerry Cowley

Question:

523 Dr. Cowley asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason there is such a delay on the sanctioning of a new national school at Drumslide, Ballycroy, Westport, County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15562/02]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. N. Dempsey):

I propose to take Questions Nos. 522 and 523 together.

Architectural planning for a building project at Drumslide national school 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.

My Department has an extensive primary school building programme for 2002 under way, details of which are available on my Department's website at www.education.ie. It is not envisaged that the proposed building project at Drumslide 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 frame 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. My Department will be in contact with the schools concerned when the programme for 2003 is published.

It should be clearly understood that the primary responsibility for the health and safety of the pupils and teachers at Drumslide national school rests with the school's board of manage ment. The onus is on the board of management to use the annual minor works grant it receives from my Department to ensure urgent health and safety issues are satisfactorily addressed. If necessary, my Department will consider supplementing this grant as an interim measure until a major project can be undertaken at the school.