Pádraic McCormack
Question:291 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding St. James' national school, Bushypark, Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21463/02]
Written Answers. - Schools Building Projects.
Pádraic McCormack
Question:292 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the provision of a new school at Briarhill national school, Castlegar, Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21464/02]
Pádraic McCormack
Question:293 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for Education and Science the situation regarding the proposed extension works to Coldwood national school, Craughwell, County Galway; when work will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21465/02]
Pádraic McCormack
Question:294 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the extension and refurbishment at Maree national school, Oranmore, County Galway, which has applied for an extra classroom and general purpose room due to overcrowding; when work is likely to commence on this school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21466/02]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 291 to 294, inclusive, together.
The general position is that where architectural planning for a building project has commenced, 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.
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 at the completion of the 2003 estimates process.
The most up-to-date position on all major building projects is available on my Department's website at www.education.ie. When the situation changes the website will be updated.
In the meantime, boards of management should ensure that essential health and safety issues at each 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 Department's building unit for supplementary grant-aid.
Seymour Crawford
Question:295 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the proposed building project at Blackstaff national school, Blackstaff, Inniskeen, County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21467/02]
Details of my Department's extensive primary school building programme are available on my Department's website, www.education.ie. In view of the extensive nature of the programme, my Department has no plans to start architectural planning for further major primary school building projects. My Department will review the position in the light of the allocation to be made for the primary building programme at the completion of the 2003 Estimates process. In the meantime, the board of management of Blackstaff national school 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 Department's building unit for supplementary grant aid.