Vol. 567 No. 3
124 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Science when grant aid was originally sought in respect of the new school for Rathmore national school, Naas, County Kildare; when the school will be sanctioned for tender stage in view of his new transparent system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14097/03]
The proposed large scale building project for Rathmore NS is listed in section 6 of the 2003 building programme. The Deputy can view the programme on my Department's website at www.education.ie. The project is at an advanced stage of architectural planning. It has been assigned a band 2 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 commencement of tender and construction stages depends on the budgetary allocation for 2004 and subsequent years. It also depends on the priority afforded to projects by reference to the band rating.
125 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason he will not authorise the Presentation Convent, Maynooth, County Kildare, to progress beyond its current stage of architectural planning; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14098/03]
The proposed large scale building project for Presentation Convent, Maynooth is listed in section 7 of the 2003 building programme. The Deputy can view the programme on my Department's website at www.education.ie. The project is at an early stage of architectural planning. My Department has been assigned it a band 2 rating in accordance with the published criteria for prioritising large scale projects.
126 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason he will not authorise Scoil Uí Riada, Kilcock, County Kildare, to progress beyond its current stage of architectural planning; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14099/03]
The proposed large scale building project for the school is listed in section 7 of the 2003 building programme. I published the programme on my Department's website at www.education.ie. The project is at an early stage of architectural planning. It has been assigned a band 2 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 commencement of tender and construction stages depends on the budgetary allocation for 2004 and subsequent years. It also depends on the priority afforded to projects by reference to the band rating.
127 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Science when the school authorities in Scoil Clocha Naofa, Kilcock, County Kildare, sought grant aid in respect of a new building; the additional temporary accommodation sought by it for September; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14100/03]
My Department approved temporary accommodation for the school as part of the 2003 schools building programme that was published on my Department's website. This project is listed in section 12, primary, of the programme.
The management authorities at the school have also applied for grant aid towards the provision of improved permanent accommodation. My Department does not intend to allow further large scale projects into architectural planning during 2003. The commencement of architectural planning stage depends on the budgetary allocation for 2004 and subsequent years. It also depends on the priority afforded to projects by reference to the published criteria for prioritising large scale projects.
128 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will sanction the provision of a rental grant for the provision of additional temporary accommodation at Scoil Phádraig national school, Clane, County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14101/03]
An application had been received for rental grant aid for the provision of two prefabricated classrooms at the school to cater for increased enrolments. The application for rental grant aid is no longer being considered due to the school's inclusion in the new pilot initiative outlined in section 13 of the updated building programme which is aimed at reducing the amount of temporary school accommodation required in primary schools.
This new pilot initiative is being funded from the contingency sum for emergencies as set out in section 1 of the programme.
129 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Science if the chief executive officer, County Kildare VEC has identified a site for the future location of St. Patrick's post-primary school, Naas, County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14102/03]
A number of sites have been identified. Pending the receipt of the formal report from the chief executive officer, regarding the availability of sites in the Naas area, I am not in a position to provide the information requested by the Deputy.
130 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Science if he has met the board of Meánscoil Iognáid Rís, Naas, County Kildare, to discuss the secondary school crisis in the area; the proposals he has for dealing with the crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14103/03]
Following an evaluation of post primary school accommodation requirements in the area, building projects were approved for all three schools in Naas. These projects are now at various stages of development.
Recently an extension project was completed at St. Mary's College, Naas. It is proposed to develop this college further to cater for a long-term enrolment of 900 pupils. It is also proposed to extend Meánscoil Iognéid Rís so that the capacity will be increased to cater for 900 pupils. These enrolment levels have been agreed with the school's management authorities.
Financial commitments must be met for projects already in construction. As a consequence it is not envisaged that my Department will, in 2003, initiate architectural planning for any further large scale building projects, including the project at St. Mary's College.
