Skip to main content
Normal View

Schools Building Projects.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 29 September 2004

Wednesday, 29 September 2004

Questions (281, 282)

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

461 Mr. O’Dowd asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress to date on the application for an extension to a school (details supplied) in County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21975/04]

View answer

Written answers

I have previously announced my intention to publish, for the first time ever, a multi-annual school building programme. My officials are nearing completion of a review of all projects in line with the revised prioritisation criteria that resulted from consultation with the partners. The purpose of the review is to enable and inform a multi-annual approach to the school building programme. I expect to be providing details of this multi-annual programme before the end of the current year.

Michael Ring

Question:

462 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the review of the catchment area for a proposed new school (details supplied) in County Mayo; when the review commenced; the work which has been done on the review; the number of meetings which have taken place; the information his Department has on this issue; and if details of the information will be provided to this Deputy. [21983/04]

View answer

Earlier this year I introduced a new planning model for educational infrastructure to ensure that, in future, school provision will be decided only after a transparent consultation process. In this regard, trustees, parents, sponsors of prospective schools and all interested parties from a locality will have the opportunity to have their voices heard in the process.

The main feature of the new model, being introduced initially on a pilot basis in five specific areas, is the publication of an area development plan which will set out a blueprint for education infrastructure in the particular area into the future. The components of the draft area development plan are as follows: details of existing primary and post-primary provision; examination of the demographics of the area; commentary on the data; and recommendations for the area into the future.

Following publication of each draft area development plan, the Commission on School Accommodation will conduct a public engagement process to which all interested parties can make submissions. All of these submissions will be published. The process in each case will culminate in the publication of a final area development plan against which all capital funding decisions will be made over the next decade.

The location of the proposed new school to which the Deputy refers forms part of one of the pilot area development plans and the proposal is being considered through the process outlined above.

Top
Share