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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 27 Feb 2003

Vol. 562 No. 3

Ceisteanna – Questions. Priority Questions. - Schools Refurbishment.

Paddy McHugh

Question:

3 Mr. McHugh asked the Minister for Education and Science if funding was allocated in February 2002 for the refurbishment of the science laboratory and home economics room in Tuam vocational school; and the reason this work has still not been carried out. [5923/03]

Funding was allocated in February 2002 from the 2002 programme for the refurbishment of the science laboratory and home economics room at Tuam vocational school. The expectation was that the works would have been carried out and the moneys substantially expended in that year. Unfortunately, this did not happen mainly because the tendering report process became more protracted than had been anticipated. In this regard, a series of clarifications had to be obtained from the client, County Galway Vocational Education Committee, in advance of approving the tender report. The issues were finally resolved in mid-November 2002. Clearly, the works could not have been executed at this late stage of the year with the result that the allocated funding could not be drawn down in 2002.

Framing the 2003 programme took place against a difficult economic backdrop. This project had to compete with a significant number of other similar projects for funding since, inevitably, priorities attaching to projects can vary over time. This highlights the importance for a client of ensuring that when funding is allocated to a project in a particular year, the works are substantially completed in that year with the moneys being drawn down.

In view of the scale of the 2003 schools building programme as now published and having regard to the level of financial commitments to be met from projects already in construction, it was not possible to include Tuam vocational school in the new starts for 2003. The project will be considered further in the context of the 2004 capital programme.

Is the Minister aware that the school had a prefab which accommodated a science laboratory but which deteriorated to such an extent that it had to be demolished three years ago? Is he further aware that the students have not had a science laboratory since that time?

There have been indications of a dispute between the VEC's consultants and the professionals in the Department of Education and Science. I cannot accept that consultants employed by a VEC would not have their documentation right for a project costing €269,000.

Will the Minister agree that his explanation is a fig leaf to shield from the public the naked truth that the Government does not give two hoots about the students of this school and is reneging on its obligation to treat all the children of the nation equally? Will he further agree that this fig leaf hides the fact that the Government is reneging on a commitment given in 2002?

Will the Minister agree that the situation in this school is reminiscent of trying to teach a child to cycle without a bicycle? One does not need a racing bike, a tricycle will do. The Minister expects the science teacher in this school to teach her subject while not providing her with the tools of her trade – a basic science laboratory.

Will the Minister correct this appalling situation by immediately giving approval for the project to proceed to construction stage in order that the school can be provided with basic science and home economics rooms? The money was allocated and all the documentation is now in order. The Minister should let the project proceed.

The project could have proceeded last year if the people concerned had been properly organised. The architectural planning was complete, the project was ready to go to tender in 2002 and, consistent with practice in the Department, there was an examination of the school's long-term viability which was confirmed in September. It was still expected that the project could be on site in November with some of the funding drawn down in 2002. The expected timeframe for the work was 16 weeks. When the tender report was submitted to the Department, discrepancies were found between the consultant quantity surveyor's assessment of the cost and the consultant mechanic and electrical engineer's assessment. The Department raised the matter with County Galway VEC on 29 October. It responded on 4 November but failed to address the specific issues. This caused a further delay and by the time everything was clarified on 16 November the money was no longer available. Unfortunately for Tuam vocational school, there were higher priorities in the 2003 building programme. I would like to see the project advanced as quickly as possible but it has to compete with other projects and other schools.

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