Vol. 577 No. 3
330 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science when he expects to be in a position to provide funding to replace the roof at Scoil Mhuire, Clane, County Kildare, as same has been temporarily repaired at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31327/03]
The Deputy will be aware that I recently announced the introduction of a new initiative for capital grants for small scale improvement works called the summer works scheme. This new initiative will empower school authorities to manage their individual projects with minimum intervention from and interaction with the Department. The initiative will replace all existing small-scale building project schemes that have applied to both primary and post-primary schools with the exception of the grant scheme for minor works, commonly referred to as the devolved grant scheme, that applies to primary schools. Only applications that are made in accordance with the terms and conditions of this scheme will be considered for funding in 2004. Even where an application has already been submitted to my Department or a small-scale project has been sanctioned but is not yet at construction, it is essential that a fresh application be completed and submitted to my Department.
The purpose of this approach is to ensure precise targeting of funding for small-scale works to those schools that are most in need of resources. This will be achieved by using a structured time bound application process open to all recognised schools. This process will elicit specific relevant information to enable a verifiable, speedy and equitable prioritisation process. A further key feature is that successful applicants will have early notice of the inclusion of their projects in the scheme. In this way, school authorities can achieve speedy delivery of necessary works. It is a matter for the authority of Scoil Mhuire, County Kildare, to apply to my Department under the terms of this new scheme for any improvement works which it wishes to have implemented at the school.
Question No. 331 answered with Question No. 325. Question No. 332 answered with Question No. 320.
Question No. 333 answered with Question No. 318.
334 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the position for extra facilities and equipment required at Scoil Dara, Kilcock, County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31333/03]
My Department has provided over €3 million for a large-scale refurbishment and extension project at Scoil Dara, Kilcock, County Kildare. My Department has reviewed an application from the school authorities for grant-aid for furniture and equipment in addition to this. This application has recently been approved in the amount of €21,296.81.
335 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science when he proposes to address the issue of extra accommodation requirements at Scoil Choca Naofa, Kilcock, County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31335/03]
An application for grant aid towards improvement works has been received from the management authorities of Scoil Choca Naofa, Kilcock. This application is being examined in the school planning section of my Department in the context of framing the capital programme for 2004. However, the timing of when any individual project can proceed is dependent on the financial allocation for 2004 and subsequent years and the competing priorities for that funding.
336 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress to date in regard to the provision of the extra facilities required at Sallins national school, County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31336/03]
The proposed large-scale building project for Sallins national school is listed in section 6 of the 2003 school building programme which is published on my Department's website at http://www.education.ie The project is at an advanced stage of architectural planning. It has been assigned a band 2 rating by my Department in accordance with the published criteria for prioritising large-scale projects. I intend to publish the 2004 school building programme this week, which will outline the progress to be made on projects such as Sallins national school in 2004.
337 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress he has achieved in acceding to the requests of the authorities at the Salesian College, Celbridge, County Kildare, for the provision of extra facilities thereat; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31337/03]
My Department has recently sanctioned a sum of €30,000 from its contingency fund for the urgent works required at the Salesian College, Celbridge, County Kildare.
Questions Nos. 338 and 339 answered with Question No. 325. Question No. 340 answered with Question No. 320. Question No. 341 answered with Question No. 321. Question No. 342 answered with Question No. 320.
343 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science when he expects to be in a position to provide extra facilities required at Kill national school, Kill, County Kildare, having particular regard to the extra funding to his Department for 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31346/03]
The property management section of the Office of Public Works, which acts on behalf of my Department for site acquisitions generally, is exploring the possibility of acquiring a site for a new school in Kill, County Kildare. Due to the commercial sensitivity involved in acquiring sites, it would be inappropriate for me to make any further comment on this issue at this time. As a general principle, however, the rate of progress on site acquisitions is dependent on the funding available in 2004 and subsequent years and the competing priorities for that funding.
