Vol. 564 No. 1
205 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the history of a building project (details supplied); the estimated cost of the project; the estimated time it will take to complete the project if granted approval at the current date; and his evaluation of when his Department will be in position to grant the necessary approval. [8950/03]
It is proposed to provide an extension at the school. An architect was appointed following a notice in the Official Journal of the European Communities. However, having regard to the level of financial commitments to be met from projects already in construction, my Department's post-primary building unit does not envisage that it will be in a position to put any further large-scale projects into architectural planning during 2003. Therefore, as the project has not commenced architectural planning it is not possible to give an indication of estimated costs or when the project will be completed.
The timing of when the project at this school can commence architectural planning will depend on the financial allocation for 2004 and subsequent years and the priority rating assigned to competing projects.
206 Mr. Grealish asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the extension to St. Joseph's Patrician College, Bish, Nuns' Island, Galway; when he envisages works will start on this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9035/03]
The 2003 capital programme has been published and full details on individual projects are available on my Department's website at www.education.ie. The extension at St. Joseph's Patrician College, Nuns' Island, is at an advanced stage of architectural planning – stage 4/5 detail design/bill of quantities.
In view of the scale of the capital programme as now published, 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 during this year to allow architectural planning for further large-scale projects, including St. Joseph's College, to progress beyond their current authorised stage. The timing of when this project can be authorised to proceed to construction will depend on the financial allocation for 2004 and subsequent years.
