Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 23 Oct 2003

Vol. 573 No. 2

Written Answers. - Schools Building Projects.

Gay Mitchell

Question:

107 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Education and Science when the sports halls announced in a joint press release issued on 3 February 1999 by the Taoiseach together with the Ministers for Education and Science, Environment and Local Government and Social and Family Affairs will be completed; the reason this programme has not been completed within the projected timescale; the steps he now intends to take to bring these projects to completion within a reasonable time frame; the present projected costs to complete these projects; the projected timescale to complete the halls in Inchicore, Crumlin, Ballyfermot, and Dublin south inner city; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24619/03]

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

The proposed multi-purpose sports halls at the schools referred to by the Deputy are part of a joint programme to develop community sports facilities in drugs task force areas. The projects in question are at various stages of architectural planning.

Given the level of financial commitments to be met from projects already in construction under the school building programme, 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 these projects can proceed is dependent on the financial allocation for 2004 and subsequent years and the competing priorities for this funding.