Vol. 562 No. 1
346 Dr. Twomey asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will explain the transparency of the list of schools on the schools building programme on display on his Department's website; and the way in which schools currently with the planning and building unit will be affected. [5630/03]
The Deputy will be aware that I recently published the 2003 school building programme to give the maximum amount of information to managers, boards of management, principals, parents and students and to give an assurance that it is being operated in an open and transparent manner.
The 2003 programme will deliver over 140 large-scale projects at primary and post-primary level. In addition, over 400 schools will benefit in some way from the building programme and of course all primary schools benefit directly from the devolved grant scheme for minor works. An innovative feature of this year's programme is the introduction of a devolved building initiative for small rural primary schools which will benefit 20 school communities.
The Government has acknowledged the historical deficit in educational infrastructure and has set about redressing the situation by allocating substantial funding. Redressing the situation will take time but I am determined to ensure that the needs of schools right across the country are met.
347 Dr. Twomey asked the Minister for Education and Science when major school projects for County Wexford will commence, in view of the fact that the school building list does not contain all the schools awaiting funds for greater than five years. [5631/03]
The 2003 school building 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 include any further projects in 2003. The budgetary allocation for 2004 and subsequent years will determine the rate of progress on projects, including applications for grant aid towards projects, that could not be included in this year's programme.
348 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Science the position in relation to funding for the redevelopment of St. Mary's Hall, Boyle Community School, Boyle, County Roscommon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5672/03]
The 2003 capital programme has been published and full details in relation to individual projects are available on my Department's website at www.education.ie. The proposed redevelopment of St. Mary's Hall at Boyle community college has not yet commenced the architectural planning process. Given the level of financial commitments to be met from projects already in construction I do not envisage that my Department will be in a position during this year to initiate architectural planning on any further building projects, including St. Mary's.
