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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 7 May 2003

Vol. 566 No. 1

Written Answers. - School Accommodation.

Breeda Moynihan-Cronin

Question:

314 Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will reassess the listing of Lauragh national school, County Kerry, following correspondence from the board of management regarding the health and safety of the children in its care and also concerns it has regarding withdrawal of insurance cover due to the hazardous condition of the roof, school yard and fencing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11687/03]

Architectural planning is at an early stage for a proposed building project to provide improved accommodation at Lauragh national school. Based on the budgetary allocation it was not possible to make provision for this project in the 2003 school building programme that was published in January. 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.

Jerry Cowley

Question:

315 Dr. Cowley asked the Minister for Education and Science if his Department will provide funding for a permanent residence for Gaelscoil, Ballina, County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11688/03]

Jerry Cowley

Question:

316 Dr. Cowley asked the Minister for Education and Science the steps he has taken to facilitate the increasing numbers at the Gaelscoil, Ballina, County Mayo, which is due to increase to over 100 in September 2003; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11689/03]

Jerry Cowley

Question:

317 Dr. Cowley asked the Minister for Education and Science the funding available from his Department for a Gaelscoil; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11690/03]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 315, 316, 317 together.

Gaelscoil na gCeithre Maoil, Ballina, was granted provisional recognition by my Department in September 1998. The school authorities have applied for permanent recognition and the application is currently under consideration in the planning section of my Department. This matter will be finalised when all the relevant details have been received and considered. In the meantime the school is not entitled to capital grant aid.

During the period of provisional recognition it is the responsibility of the school patron to provide interim accommodation. This accommodation must be capable of fully meeting the needs of the developing school until permanent recognition has been secured and the Department is in a position to acquire a site and provide a permanent school building. My Department grant-aids the rental cost of such temporary accommodation at the rate of 75% for schools having provisional recognition and at the rate of 95% for schools with permanent recognition.

It is open to the management authorities of the gaelscoil in Ballina to apply to my Department for grant-aid in respect of the rental of additional temporary accommodation to cater for anticipated increased enrolments at the school next September. Such application will be considered in the light of current budgetary constraints and competing demands on my Departments rental budget.

The position regarding funding for new primary schools generally is set out in the document Recognition for New Primary Schools' Funding, which is available on my Department's website at, www.education.ie. In addition to the funding/services outlined in that document, gaelscoileanna also receive preferential capitation grants.

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