Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 June 2004
269 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason the Office of Public Works did not purchase a site for a new school at Rathcormac, County Cork, as requested by the board of management. [17450/04]
View answer270 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Education and Science if the refurbishment or extension of a school (details supplied) in County Cork will commence soon. [17451/04]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 269 and 270 together.
A large scale building project for Rathcormac national school is listed in section 8 of the 2004 schools building programme. It is published on my Department's website www.education.ie. My Department assigned it a band 1 in accordance with the published criteria for prioritising large scale projects. It was planned to progress the project to advanced architectural planning during 2004.
Recently circumstances changed with staff changes and the possible impact of the proposed housing developments in the area emerged. My Department's school planning section is conducting a full review of the brief for the proposed project. Full account will be taken of developments and decisions will be taken on the possible need for a new site. The review will be conducted over the summer as part of an overall review of projects on the schools building programme that have not yet gone to construction.
Indicative timescales were included in the programme 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 schools building programme. This will give greater clarity on projects that are not progressing to tender in this year's programme, including this school. I will make a further announcement on the matter during the year.
271 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Education and Science when work shall commence on a new school (details supplied) in Buttevant, County Cork. [17452/04]
View answerWhen publishing the 2004 schools building programme I outlined that my strategy will be rounded in capital investment based on multi-annual allocations. My officials are reviewing all projects that were not authorised to proceed to construction as part of the 2004 schools building programme. This is being done with a view to including them as part of a multi-annual schools building programme from 2005. I expect to make further announcements on the matter in the course of the year. The school's application will be considered.
272 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Education and Science when work will commence on an extension at a school (details supplied) in Kilworth, County Cork. [17453/04]
View answerThe large scale building project for the school is listed in section 8 of the 2004 schools building programme. It is published on my Department's website www.education.ie. The project is at stage 1, site suitability, briefing and site report, of architectural planning. It was assigned a band 1 rating in accordance with the published criteria for prioritising large scale projects. During 2004 I plan to progress the project to advanced architectural planning.
Indicative timescales were included for large scale projects proceeding to tender in 2004. The budget announcement of multi-annual capital envelopes will enable me to adopt a multi-annual framework for the schools building programme. It will give greater clarity on projects that will not reach tender in this year's programme, including St. Martin's senior national school, Kilworth. I will make a further announcement during the year.
