Vol. 568 No. 1
429 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science when he expects permanent classroom facilities to be provided to replace existing prefab accommodation at Ardclough national school, County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16056/03]
The 2003 capital programme has now been published and full details in respect of individual projects are available on my Department's website at www.education.ie.
An application for improved accommodation has been received from the management authorities of Ardclough national school. My Department does not intend to allow further large scale projects into architectural planning during 2003. The timing of when individual projects can progress to architectural planning will depend on the budgetary allocation for 2004 and subsequent years, the rate of progress with existing projects in architectural planning and the priority afforded to each project by reference to the published criteria for prioritising large scale building projects.
In the meantime, individual schools should use their devolved grant to deal with any urgent health and safety works.
430 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the extent to which he proposes to respond to the urgent request for extra facilities at Sallins national school, County Kildare; if his attention has been drawn to the position as set out by the school authorities in regard to the request for extra accommodation; his plans to respond positively to such requests in 2003; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16057/03]
An application was received in the planning and building unit of my Department from Sallins national school, County Kildare, for grant aid towards the provision of temporary accommodation to cater for two additional mainstream assistants on developing grounds from September 2003. Initially, provisional sanction was granted by my Department for the rental of one portacabin. However, following receipt and consideration of an appeal by the school management together with a report by the schools inspector in the matter, my Department has now agreed to grant provisional sanction for temporary accommodation to cater for a second additional mainstream assistant on developing grounds at Sallins national school. The school authorities have been advised accordingly.
