Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 7 May 2003

Vol. 566 No. 1

Written Answers. - School Accommodation.

John McGuinness

Question:

328 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Science if a new prefab building will be provided urgently to deal with the needs of students and teachers at St. Mary's national school, Bagenalstown, County Carlow; if his Department's attention has been drawn to the fact that due to increasing numbers a fourth teacher will be required in 2004; and if he will investigate the situation at the school and issue a comprehensive response to the matters raised by the principal. [11821/03]

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

I can confirm that my Department has an application on hand from St. Mary's national school, Bagenalstown, County Carlow, for additional accommodation. The 2003 school building programme has now been published and full details in relation to individual projects are available on my Department's website, www.education.ie. While a consultant architect has carried out a feasibility study on the school, my Department does not intend to put further large scale projects, including St. Mary's national school, into architectural planning during 2003. The budgetary allocation for 2004 and subsequent years will determine the rate of progress on applications and 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.