Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 27 Feb 2003

Vol. 562 No. 3

Written Answers - Schools Building Projects.

Paul McGrath

Question:

63 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason there is such a long delay in progressing the building programme for Our Lady's Bower secondary school, Athlone, County Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5796/03]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. N. Dempsey)

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.

Due to a number of issues involving, for example, the need to revisit long-term enrolment projections at the request of the school and inadequacies in a feasibility study, the project at Our Lady's Bower in Athlone only recently reached the point where it would be possible to commence architectural planning. However, having regard to 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 for any further large-scale projects, including the project at Our Lady's Bower.

The project will, however, be considered for the 2004 capital programme.

64.

Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science when funding will be sanctioned for the provision of a new building for a school (details supplied) in County Mayo; when this school originally applied for this; when the existing building was built; the number of children should the existing building accommodate safely; the number of children on the roll of this primary school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5764/03]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. N. Dempsey)

The 2003 school building programme has now been published and full details in relation to individual projects are available on my Department's website, 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 that could not be included in this year's programme.

Olivia Mitchell

Question:

65 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Education and Science the stage of the building programme for a school (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5724/03]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. N. Dempsey)

The 2003 school building programme has now been published and full details in relation to individual projects are available on my Department's website, 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 an application for funding from the school referred to by the Deputy.