Emmet Stagg
Question:224 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will sanction the provision of two prefabs for Maynooth post-primary school, Maynooth, County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10487/03]
Written Answers. - Schools Building Projects.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:241 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science if, notwithstanding the information on his website, his attention has been drawn to the urgent need to provide the necessary extension to and facilities at Maynooth post-primary school, Maynooth, County Kildare; if he understands the degree to which the school is overcrowded and likely to become much more so in the current year; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that planning permission has been granted for the works in question some years ago; if he intends to respond to the recent requests made by the school authorities and Kildare VEC on the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10505/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 224 and 241 together.
The extension project at Maynooth post-primary school is currently at stage 3 of architectural planning. It is included in section 7 of the building programme for 2003. Given 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 allow architectural planning for further large scale projects to progress beyond their current authorised stage.
The timing of when the project at Maynooth post-primary school can proceed to construction is dependent on the financial allocation for 2004 and subsequent years.
I want to stress again that, in publishing the building programme, I emphasised the importance of an open and transparent system for deciding priorities and I also published the criteria used by my Department in this regard. In the circumstances, it would be unfair to other schools for me to become involved in individual projects as this might create the impression that decisions were going to be taken on building projects on the basis of criteria other than the objective criteria outlined by my Department.
With regard to the provision of temporary accommodation at the school, the chief executive officer of County Kildare VEC has applied to my Department for funding for such provision. The planning and building unit is currently examining this application and a decision will be conveyed to the chief executive officer as soon as possible.
Emmet Stagg
Question:225 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Science if, further to the Adjournment debate on 4 March 2003 in connection with Sallins national school, Sallins, County Kildare, he has sanctioned the provision of three prefabs for the school or grant aid towards the rental cost of three prefabs, to be available for the start of the new school year in September 2003; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10488/03]
An application for rental grant aid in respect of two portacabins to cater for anticipated increased enrolments in September 2003 has been received from the school management authorities of Sallins national school. This application is currently being considered and a decision will issue to the school authorities as soon as possible.
Question No. 226 answered with Question No. 89.