Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 2 June 2004
146 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Education and Science if a Gaelscoil (details supplied) in County Dublin will be provided with adequate and proper accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16938/04]
View answerMy Department is considering options to address the long-term accommodation needs of the Gaelscoil to which the Deputy refers, including the option to acquire a site for the school. In this regard, the property management section of the Office of Public Works is acting on behalf of my Department regarding site acquisitions generally and is exploring the possibility of acquiring a site for the school.
Due to the commercial sensitivities of site acquisitions, the Deputy will appreciate that I cannot comment on specific site purchase issues. However, the information will be placed on my Department's website when the relevant acquisitions have been completed.
147 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress that is being made on the application for a temporary prefabricated building to cater for one class at a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16939/04]
View answerThe school planning section of my Department has considered all applications for temporary accommodation. In the context of the available funding and the number of applications for that funding, it was not possible to approve all applications received and only those with an absolute and demonstrated need for additional accommodation were approved. The application from the school referred to by the Deputy was not successful on this occasion.
The need for accommodation at the school will be considered in the context of a review being undertaken of all projects which did not proceed to construction as part of the 2004 school building programme with a view to including it as part of a multi-annual school building programme from 2005 onwards. I expect to be in a position to make further announcements in this matter later this year.
148 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress that is being made on the provision of additional school buildings and resources at a school (details supplied) in County Dublin in view of the commitments in a Department letter published in May 2002; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16940/04]
View answerThe large-scale building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is listed in section 8 of the 2004 school building programme which is published on my Department's website at www.education.ie. This project is at stage 3, developed sketch scheme, 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.
It is planned to progress this project to advanced architectural planning during 2004. Indicative timescales have been included for large-scale projects proceeding to tender in 2004. The budget announcement regarding multi-annual capital envelopes will enable me to adopt a multi-annual framework for the school building programme, which in turn will give greater clarity regarding projects that are not progressing to tender in this year's programme, including the school referred to by the Deputy. I will make a further announcement in that regard during the year.
