Vol. 566 No. 5
65 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Education and Science the way in which it is proposed to respond to a letter from a school (details supplied) in Dublin 14 in view of the urgency of the matter and the very real possibility of the withdrawal of insurance cover. [13266/03]
My Department has recently forwarded an application form for grant aid to the school referred to by the Deputy. The Deputy will be aware, however, that I have published the 2003 school building programme and full details in relation to individual projects are available on my Department's website at www.education.ie. The budgetary allocation for 2004 and subsequent years will determine the rate of progress on all other applications and projects that could not be included in this year's programme. School authorities should continue to use the devolved grant to address urgent health and safety matters.
66 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will approve an application for increased permanent accommodation by Sonna National School, County Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13219/03]
67 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Science the position in relation to the application by St. Etchen's National School, Kinnegad, for additional accommodation; when same will be in a position to commence at this school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13220/03]
69 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress which has been made to date by his Department in the provision of a new school at Curraghmore, Mullingar, County Westmeath. [13222/03]
70 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Science if a timescale has been set for the commencement of the construction of the new school at Coralstown, Mullingar, County Westmeath; when it will be completed and ready for occupation by the students and teachers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13223/03]
73 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Science the position in relation to the application by Ballinagore National School, Mullingar, County Westmeath, for additional necessary accommodation; if same will be provided as a matter of urgency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13226/03]
75 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress to date in providing additional accommodation at Clonmellon National School, County Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13228/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 66, 67, 69, 70, 73 and 75 together.
The proposed large-scale building projects for national schools at Ballinagore, Clonmellon, St. Etchen's, Kinnegad, and Coralstown are listed in section 7 of the 2003 school building programme which I published on my Department's website at www.education.ie. These proposed projects are at an early stage of architectural planning and have all been assigned a "band 2" rating with the exception of Ballinagore National School which 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 of 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 view of the scale of the 2003 school building programme as published, and having regard to the level of financial commitments to be met from projects already in construction, my Department will not be in a position to initiate architectural planning on any further large-scale building projects in 2003, including the proposed projects at Curraghmore National School and Sonna National School. In the meantime, individual schools should use their devolved grant to deal with any urgent health and safety works.
68 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Science the position in relation to the application by a school (details supplied) in County Westmeath for additional accommodation. [13221/03]
The proposed large-scale building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is listed in section 6 of the 2003 school building programme which I published on my Department's website at www.education.ie. This proposed project is at an advanced 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.
71 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Science the position in relation to the provision of an extension to a school (details supplied) in County Westmeath; if these works will be progressed without further delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13224/03]
The 2003 capital programme has now been published and full details of individual projects are available on my Department's website at www.education.ie. Section 8 – primary – of the programme included the school in question under my Department's new pilot initiative to allow small schools undertake building and modernisation works on a devolved basis.
My Department's building unit has informed the school concerned and is awaiting confirmation from the school management authority that a contract has been placed by them to provide the necessary improvement works.
72 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Science the status of an application by a primary school (details supplied) in County Westmeath for assistance for increased accommodation requirements and improved sewerage facilities; when final approval will be granted to this application which was made some time ago; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13225/03]
The proposed large-scale building project for the school referred to by the Deputy 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 advanced stage of architectural planning and has been assigned a "band 2" rating by my Department in accordance with the published criteria for prioritising large-scale projects.
74 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding an application by a school (details supplied) in County Westmeath for an extension; if same will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13227/03]
The proposed large-scale building project for the school referred to by the Deputy 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 advanced 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 of 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.
Question No. 75 answered with Question No. 66.
76 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding a new school building at Our Lady's Bower secondary school, Retreat Road, Athlone, County Westmeath; if his attention has been drawn to the serious concerns regarding the safety of the present prefab classrooms at this location; if this major project will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13229/03]
My Department is currently examining the option of replacing some of the prefab classrooms at Our Lady's Bower secondary school. The major extension project proposed for Our Lady's Bower secondary school has not yet commenced architectural planning.
