Vol. 574 No. 2
157 Mr. Connolly asked the Minister for Education and Science when it is proposed to proceed with the extension to the Holy Family Special School, Cootehill, County Cavan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26431/03]
The proposed large-scale building project for Holy Family Special School, Cootehill, County Cavan, 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 1 of architectural planning – initial sketch scheme. It has been assigned a “band 1” rating by my Department in accordance with the published criteria for prioritising large-scale projects.
Budgetary provisions in 2004 and subsequent years will determine the rate of progression to tender and construction of this project in conjunction with the assigned band rating.
Question No. 158 taken with Question No. 146.
Question No. 159 taken with Question No. 147.
160 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason there are many schools at primary and post-primary level that have not received approval for essential capital works even though verbal and written commitments were given in many instances to Government representatives before May 2002; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26443/03]
I thank the Deputy for giving me an opportunity to inform the House of the factual position relating to this issue. In April 2002, my predecessor published, on the Department's website, a list of school building projects which were to be progressed as part of the 2002 school building programme. This list of intended projects was based on a revised budget allocation of €172.64 million for primary school buildings and €171.73 million for post-primary schools. One of the crucial aspects of managing a multi-million euro annual capital programme is the timing of allowing projects to proceed to tender and construction. Some projects were scheduled to proceed to tender and construction in early 2002 and others were scheduled for later in the year. A substantial number of projects proceeded through design and on to construction. However, it became clear in late 2002 that the funding allocation for 2003 might be less than anticipated. On this basis, it was prudent, therefore, not to proceed in late 2002 with the projects intended to go to tender and construction and to defer consideration of these projects until funding for 2003 was certain.
The publication of the Estimates in November 2002 detailed the 2003 funding allocation of €147.7 million for primary capital projects. Subsequently, I reallocated €20 million from within my overall departmental budget to increase the funding available to €167.7 million. The allocation for post-primary capital projects for 2003 was €175.2 million. The 2003 school building programme was based on these allocations.
I understand the frustration felt by schools which believed that their project would proceed to tender and construction in late 2002 and early 2003 and subsequently did not. However, Deputies will understand that I could only allow projects advance within the funding available for capital projects at primary and post-primary level.
