Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 25 Mar 2003

Vol. 563 No. 4

Written Answers - Schools Building Projects.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

359 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the provision he intends to make to accommodate incoming enrolment in 2003 at Maynooth post-primary school, County Kildare, in the absence of advancement of the schools development plan for which planning permission has already been granted; if he intends to rely on the provision of temporary accommodation; if it is intended to revive the development plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8356/03]

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

The 2003 schools building programme has been published. In view of the scale of the programme and the level of financial commitments to be met from projects already in construction, my Department will not be in a position to proceed with the building project at the school in 2003.

My Department's post-primary building unit is currently in receipt of an application for two additional prefabricated buildings at the school. The application is being considered within my Department and a decision will issue to County Kildare VEC in the near future.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

360 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the position in regard to the provision of a new national school at Kill, County Kildare; the extent to which negotiations have advanced in this regard in the past six months; his plans to take action to expedite the process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8357/03]

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

The 2003 schools building programme has been published. Full details in relation to 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 applications-projects including site acquisitions that could not be included in this year's programme.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

361 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science if he has received representations from the authorities at Sallins national school, Sallins, County Kildare, advancing the view that expeditious process of the schools development plan should be facilitated immediately in view of the increasingly pressing needs arising from demographic trends; his views on such a request; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8358/03]

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

The 2003 schools building programme has been published. Full details in relation to 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 sub sequent years will determine the rate of progress on projects that could not be included in this year's programme.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

362 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science his preferred options in regard to the provision of second level education in the Kill, Naas, Sallins triangle; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8359/03]

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

For the purpose of post-primary education, Kill and Sallins form part of the Naas catchment area. Following an evaluation of post-primary school accommodation requirements in the area, building projects were approved for all three schools in Naas. These projects are now at various stages of development.

An extension project has recently been completed at St. Mary's College, Naas, County Kildare which will cater for an enrolment of 800 pupils. The school authorities submitted an application for further additional accommodation.

This further project is not yet in architectural planning and it is not intended to put further large scale projects into architectural planning during 2003. The timing as to when this project may proceed is dependant on the funding allocation in 2004 and subsequent years.

The building project for the proposed extension at Meánscoil Iognáid Rís, Naas, County Kildare is currently at an early stage of architectural planning, stage 2 – outline sketch scheme.

In view of the 2003 schools building programme 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 to allow architectural planning for large scale projects to progress beyond their current authorised stage during this year. Therefore, this extension project will not proceed to stage 3, developed sketch scheme, in the current year.

In relation to St. Patrick's post-primary school, Naas, County Kildare, my Department, in conjunction with the school authorities, has determined that the school will be required to cater for a long-term projected enrolment of 900 pupils. My Department will consider all options, including the use of the existing site and the possibility of providing a school on a greenfield site in the Naas town environs.

It is envisaged that, when these projects are completed, there will be sufficient accommodation to meet future needs at post-primary level in the Naas catchment area, including Kill and Sallins. The position will be kept under review by my Department's planning section in the light of enrolment and demographic trends in the area.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

363 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science his preferred option in regard to the future of St. Patrick's post-primary school, Naas, County Kildare; his plans to advance the proposal to relocate the school to a new site at an early date; the current status in the planning process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8360/03]

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

My Department's post-primary building unit will consider all options submitted in relation to the future location of the school in question, including the provision of a new school on a greenfield site in Naas town environs.

The preferred option will be the most advantageous from the educational, economical and architectural points of view.

In light of my Department's 2003 schools building programme and on the basis of the budgetary allocation for 2003 and competing priorities, it was not possible to include this project on the list of projects to progress through architectural planning in 2003.

Pat Rabbitte

Question:

364 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the lack of classroom space at a school (details supplied) in Dublin 24 and to the fact that three of the five prefabs currently in use as classrooms were recommended for demolition by his predecessor due to the fact that they were uninhabitable; if he intends to sanction the six room extension sought, in view of the expanding need in the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8361/03]

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

The 2003 schools building programme has been published. Full details in relation to 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 that could not be included in this year's programme.