Phil Hogan
Question:446 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Education and Science when work will be carried out to an extension to Church Hill national school, Cuffesgrange, County Kilkenny; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1734/03]
Written Answers. - Schools Building Projects.
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. The project at Church Hill national school is at an advanced stage of architectural planning. 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.
Phil Hogan
Question:447 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Education and Science when work will commence on the Holy Spirit Special School, Gaol Road, Kilkenny; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1735/03]
Phil Hogan
Question:448 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Education and Science when work will commence on work required at the Mother of Fair Love Special School, James Street, Kilkenny; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1736/03]
Phil Hogan
Question:449 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Education and Science when work will commence to the extension to Carrigeen national school, County Kilkenny; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1737/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 447 to 449, inclusive, together.
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.eduaction.ie. The projects at the schools referred to by the Deputy are at an early stage of architectural planning. On the basis of the budgetary allocation it was not possible to include them in the new projects to start construction in 2003. These projects will be considered again in the context of the 2004 capital programme.
Paul Connaughton
Question:450 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the gross overcrowding at Ballymana national school, County Galway, and the lack of proper toilet facilities which have health implications for the children and teachers; if work will commence on this school in 2003; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1742/03]
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. The project at Ballymana national school, County Galway, is at an early stage of architectural planning. 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.
Michael Ring
Question:451 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science if the catchment areas have been decided for the proposed new Newport vocational school in County Mayo; if so, if it warrants a new school in the area; the updated amount spent on that school so far; the position in regard to the next stage; if his Department will go ahead with the school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1744/03]
The provision of second level school facilities in Newport, County Mayo, under the aegis of County Mayo VEC was given approval by my Department in June 1998. The amount spent to date by my Department on this project is €381,469. As with all proposals involving major capital expenditure, it is essential to confirm that the provision of a new school in Newport is necessary, having regard to pupil numbers and existing provision in the general area, before it can be allowed to proceed to the next stage, that is, invitation of tenders. Accordingly, a review of second level provision in the Newport area is being undertaken at present by the planning section of my Department. A decision on the Newport proposal will be taken on foot of this review. In the interim, no further action will be taken in relation to the development of the proposed school in Newport, including the determination of an official catchment area.
Emmet Stagg
Question:452 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Science his views on whether the required extension to Tiermohan national school, Donadea, County Kildare, is a major building project as indicated in his reply to Question No. 284 of 26 November 2002; if he considers the project to be minor; if he will initiate architectural planning for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1759/03]
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 Tiermohan national school. However, my Department does not intend to allow further major projects into architectural planning during 2003. The school's application for a major project will be considered again in the context of the 2004 capital programme.
Emmet Stagg
Question:453 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will authorise the invitation of tenders for the building of the new school for Scoil Uí Riada, Kilcock, County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1760/03]
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. The project at Gaelscoil Uí Riada, Kilcock, is at an early stage of architectural planning. 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.
Emmet Stagg
Question:454 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Science if the building of the required extension to Scoil Dara secondary school, Kilcock, County Kildare, is on schedule; when he expects the construction work to be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1761/03]
The completion of the construction of the extension project at Scoil Dara secondary school, Kilcock, County Kildare, is a matter for the school management authority in conjunction with their design team.
Emmet Stagg
Question:455 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Science if the Office of Public Works has been successful in purchasing a site for a new national school in Kill, County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1762/03]
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. On the basis of the budgetary allocation it was not possible to make provision for the purchase of a site in the Kill area during 2003. This will be considered again in the context of the 2004 programme.
Emmet Stagg
Question:456 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Science if the chief executive officer of County Kildare VEC has submitted further sites for consideration in relation to the provision of new facilities for St. Patrick's post-primary school, Naas, County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1763/03]
My Department's post-primary building unit has not received any correspondence from the chief executive officer of County Kildare Vocational Education Committee regarding the availability of alternative sites in relation to the provision of new facilities for St. Patrick's post-primary school, Naas, County Kildare.