Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 9 Oct 2002

Vol. 554 No. 5

Written Answers. - Schools Building Projects.

Phil Hogan

Question:

610 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Education and Science if funding has been approved for sporting facilities to the Good Counsel convent primary school; if so, the timeframe in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16282/02]

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

I presume the Deputy is referring to Sacred Heart convent school, Ferrybank.

The position is that my Department has an extensive primary school building programme under way at present, details of which are available on my Departments website at www.education.ie.

For financial reasons, my Department will not be in a position to start architectural planning for a major building project at Sacred Heart convent school, Ferrybank in the foreseeable future.

In the meantime, the schools board of management should ensure that essential health and safety issues at the school are attended to. They should therefore continue to use the devolved grant for minor works and if the cost of any works of an emergency nature exceeds the amount available under the devolved grant, they may apply to my Departments building unit for grant-aid.