Vol. 556 No. 2
75 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Education and Science the provision his Department has made for a school (details supplied) in Dublin 18 in a number of areas (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19680/02]
My Department has an extensive primary school building programme under way at present, details of which are available on my Department's website at www.education.ie. In view of the extensive nature of the programme, my Department has no plans at present to start architectural planning for further major primary school building projects. My Department will be reviewing the position in the light of the allocation to be made for the primary building programme in the 2003 Estimates.
In the meantime, the board of management of the school referred to by the Deputy should ensure that essential health and safety issues at the school are attended to. It 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, it may apply to my Department's building unit for grant aid.
76 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Education and Science the status of plans to provide a new school in the Sandyford parish to serve the Stepaside area; if interviews for a principal will take place shortly in order that the school can commence operation in September 2003; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19681/02]
A need has been identified by my Department for additional primary school provision to meet the demand for school places arising from the significant housing development taking place in the Stepaside area. Some time ago, the Archdiocese of Dublin indicated its intention to seek recognition for a Catholic school and, more recently, the parish priest of Sandyford submitted a formal notification of intention to apply for the recognition of a school in Stepaside, to commence operation in September 2003.
