Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 7 May 2003

Vol. 566 No. 1

Written Answers. - Schools Building Projects.

Pat Breen

Question:

281 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Education and Science if attention will be given to the application by Broadford national school, County Clare, for a school extension; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11400/03]

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

The proposed large-scale building project for Scoil na Maighdine Muire, Broadford, is listed in Section 7 of the 2003 school building programme which I published on my Department's website at www.education.ie. This proposed project is at an early stage of architectural planning and has been assigned a "band 3" rating by my Department, in accordance with the published criteria for prioritising large-scale projects. Projects listed in sections 6 and 7, primary, are not being authorised to progress beyond their current stage of architectural planning for the time being.

The timing as to when projects listed in these sections can progress to tender and construction will depend on the budgetary allocation for 2004 and subsequent years and the priority afforded to each project, by reference to the band rating. In the meantime, individual schools should use their devolved grant to deal with any urgent health and safety works.