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Schools Building Projects.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 19 May 2004

Wednesday, 19 May 2004

Questions (153, 154)

Michael Ring

Question:

153 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science if an application has been submitted to his Department for an extension and refurbishment at a school (details supplied) in County Mayo; if so, when the application was received; the status of the application; and when funding will be sanctioned for same. [14834/04]

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Written answers

The school authority made application almost three years ago for an extension and refurbishment at the school. Among the issues raised at the time was the problem of asbestos in some of the prefabricated buildings in use at the school. Due to this urgent health and safety issue, arrangements were put in train by the Office of Public Works, which has responsibility for the national asbestos programme of remediation in schools to replace the prefabs affected. It is expected that this work will be completed by the end of the summer.

As I outlined when publishing the 2004 school building programme, my strategy going forward will be grounded in capital investment based on multi-annual allocations. My officials are reviewing all projects which were not authorised to proceed as part of the 2004 school building programme with a view to including them as part of a multi-annual school building programme from 2005 and I expect to be in a position to make further announcements on this matter in the course of the year. The needs of the school referred to will be considered in this regard.

John Perry

Question:

154 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the old school building at Corran College, Ballymote, does not qualify for grant of maintenance funding (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14838/04]

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The upkeep and maintenance of Corran College, Ballymote is a matter for County Sligo VEC.

VECs are afforded considerable flexibility in the use of resources to meet the needs, including maintenance costs of individual schemes. Current funding allocations are made to VECs as part of a block grant that also covers VEC overheads and other activities apart from the second-level programme. The Department does not earmark allocations for individual schools or for the various activities of VECs. The way in which the allocation is distributed among schools is a matter for each committee in line with their priorities and perceptions of need.

An application has been received by my Department from County Sligo VEC for the continued provision of courses, such as those referred to by the Deputy, in Corran College from September next, which is under consideration in my Department.

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