Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 14 Oct 2003

Vol. 572 No. 3

Written Answers. - Schools Building Projects.

John McGuinness

Question:

317 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Science the status of an application from Loreto School, Granges Road, Kilkenny, for a school extension and new gym; when the funding will be allocated for both projects; the reason prefabs have not been provided in 2003 to ease the problem; if the prefabs will be provided shortly; the stage this request is at; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23313/03]

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

The proposed large-scale building project for Loreto secondary school is listed in section 7 of the 2003 school building programme which is published on my Department's website at www.education.ie This proposed project is at stage one – initial sketch scheme – of architectural planning. It has been assigned a band three rating by my Department in accordance with published criteria for prioritising large-scale projects.

Projects listed in sections 6 and 7 of the programme will not be authorised to progress beyond their current stage of architectural planning at this time. Budgetary provisions in 2004 and subsequent years together with assigned priority will determine the rate of progression to tender and construction of these projects.

An analysis of the short-term accommodation needs of the school indicates a need for three temporary classrooms, delivery of which will be considered as part of the 2004 programme.