Vol. 568 No. 1
431 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the position in regard to the urgently needed extra facilities at Robertstown national school, County Kildare; if he intends to review his position in the matter in 2003; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16058/03]
The proposed large scale building project for Robertstown, Naas, County Kildare, 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 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 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.
432 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the various representations he has received from the school authorities and public representatives having regard to the urgency of the case for the provision of extra facilities at Scoil Clochar Naofa, Kilcock, County Kildare; if his attention has been drawn to the urgent need to ensure adequate and acceptable accommodation for school children and staff; if he will review his previous decision in the matter with the objective of providing the necessary finance in 2003; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16059/03]
The 2003 capital programme has now been published and full details with regard to 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 Scoil Clochar Naofa, Kilcock. 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.
433 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will review the request for the urgently needed facilities at Maynooth post-primary school, Maynooth, County Kildare, with a view to acceding to the request from the school authorities at an early date in view of the fact that planning permission for the project was granted three years ago; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16060/03]
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. The extension project at Maynooth post-primary school is currently at stage 3 of architectural planning and is included in section 7 of the programme.
Given the level of financial commitments to be met from projects already in construction, I do not envisage that my Department will be in a position during this year to allow architectural planning for further large scale projects to progress beyond their current authorised stage. The timing of when the project at Maynooth post-primary school can proceed to construction is dependent on the financial allocation for 2004 and subsequent years. In the meantime, my Department has approved in principle the provision of temporary accommodation to relieve the accommodation requirements.
