Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 February 2004
257 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Science if the overcrowded situation at the Church of Ireland school, Castlecomer, County Kilkenny, has been examined by his Department officials; the plans he has to deal with this situation in the short term; and the long term plans for a new school at this location. [3737/04]
View answerAn application for major capital improvement works has been received from the management authority of the Church of Ireland school, Castlecomer, County Kilkenny. On the basis of the funding allocation for 2004 and the competing priorities for that funding, it was not possible to include the project in the 2004 building programme.
However, a key strategy for building projects going forward will be grounded on the budget day announcement of multi-annual allocations for capital investment in education projects. All projects that are not going to construction as part of the 2004 school building programme will be re-evaluated with a view to including them as part of a multi-annual building programme from 2005 onwards. I expect to be in a position to make a further announcement on this matter during 2004. In the meantime, it is open to the school authority to apply to my Department for temporary accommodation to meet its short-term needs.
