Vol. 564 No. 1
185 Mr. Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Science the assurances he will give to the parents' committee of St. Joseph's BNS, Rathmore, County Kerry, that the building of the proposed new central primary school for Rathmore will be included in the 2004 school building programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8692/03]
The 2003 school building programme has now been published and full details on 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 that could not be included in this year's programme. In the meantime, individual schools should use their devolved grant to deal with any urgent health and safety works.
186 Mr. Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Science the steps he intends to take to ensure the continuation of the maintenance grant to Coolick national school, Kilcummin, Killarney, County Kerry, as a small school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8693/03]
The position regarding the grant scheme for minor works is set out in the 2003 school building programme, which was published in January. The programme shows that €18.1 million has been provided for the payment of the full grant. The programme also identifies explicitly that there are two parts to the grant –€12.5 million for payment of the standard grant of €3,809 to each school and €5.6 million for payment of the per capita element at €12.70 per pupil.
The published programme also made clear that an expenditure review of the scheme, involving inspections of up to 300 schools, would be undertaken in the early part of the year. The purpose of the review is to ensure that the best use is being made of these funds by schools and to adjust the scheme in line with any recommendations that arise from the review. The review is about ensuring best practice and making the scheme as effective as possible. The published programme unambiguously states that the review is in the context of maintaining overall expenditure on the scheme at the same levels as in previous years. Arrangements for this review are being finalised at the moment. It is intended to complete it before the end of the current school year.
Question No. 187 answered with Question No. 183.
188 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science if an application has been received from a national school (details supplied) in County Westmeath to provide an additional classroom and other improvements at this school; the date of this application; and the progress to date with this project. [8717/03]
An application for improved accommodation has been received from the management authorities of the school in question. The 2003 school building programme has now been published and full details on 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 that could not be included in this year's programme. In the meantime, individual schools should use their devolved grant to deal with any urgent health and safety works.
