Vol. 560 No. 1
383 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the position with regard to the provision of an additional classroom at Coole national school, County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1407/03]
The 2003 capital programme has now been published and full details in relation to individual projects are available on my Department's website at www.education.ie.
An application for improved accommodation has been received from the management authorities of Coole national school. However my Department does not intend to put further large-scale projects into architectural planning during 2003. The project will be considered again in the context of the 2004 capital programme.
384 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the position in regard to the provision of a national school and a secondary school in Ratoath, County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1408/03]
The 2003 capital programme has now been published and full details in relation to individual projects are available on my Department's website at www.education.ie.
Architectural planning for a new primary school in Ratoath is at an advanced stage. On the basis of the budgetary allocation it was not possible to include it in the new projects to start construction in 2003. The project will be considered again in the context of the 2004 capital programme.
With regard to the provision of a second-level school in Ratoath officials of the building unit of my Department are in communication with County Meath Vocational Educational Committee regarding the acquisition of a suitable site, which has been identified, and the chief executive officer is currently negotiating the purchase of same.
In view of the scale of the programme as now published on my Department's website and having regard to the level of financial commitments to be met from projects already in construction, my Department does not envisage that it will be in a position during the current year to initiate architectural planning on this project.
385 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the position in regard to the provision of a new national school at Johnstown, Navan, County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1409/03]
A need has been identified by my Department for additional primary school provision in the Johnstown/Athlumney area of Navan. In that regard, a formal notification of intention to apply for the recognition of a school in that area to commence operation in September 2003 has been received from the diocese of Meath. This notification has been referred for consideration to the new schools advisory committee, which I established recently to provide independent advice regarding the recognition of new primary schools. The committee is at present undertaking a consultation process with the existing school providers and the general public in the area in which it is proposed to locate the new school.
A formal application for recognition of the school must be submitted not later than 31 January 2003. Assuming an application is received, the new schools advisory committee will consider the matter and make a recommendation to me on recognition. It is my intention to notify each applicant of my decision in their case by 30 April 2003.
386 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the position in regard to the extension to Lismullen national school, County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1410/03]
The 2003 capital programme has now been published and full details in relation to individual projects are available on my Department's website at www.education.ie.
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that provision has been made in this year's programme for additional temporary accommodation at Lismullen national school and my Department's building unit will be in contact with the school as quickly as possible regarding this matter.
