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Schools Building Projects.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 29 September 2004

Wednesday, 29 September 2004

Questions (454, 455, 456, 457, 458, 459, 460, 461, 462, 463, 464, 465, 466, 467, 468, 469, 470, 471, 472, 473, 474, 475, 476, 477, 478, 479, 480, 481, 482)

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

633 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress in relation to the provision of the extra facilities at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare during the summer months of 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22916/04]

View answer

Written answers

Historically, key decisions on educational provision have tended to be taken without any reference to the public at large. My decision to publish an annual school building programme has re-enforced my strongly held conviction that all key decisions relating to educational infrastructure should be made in an open and transparent manner. For this reason, earlier this year, I introduced a new planning model for educational infrastructure with the aim of ensuring 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 planning model is the publication of area development plans which will set out a blueprint for schools' development in an area into the future. In June, I published the draft plan for the area around the N4-M4 route from Leixlip to Kilcock, including Celbridge and Maynooth and from Enfield through to Kilbeggan including Longwood, Edenderry and Killucan. Full details of the draft plan are available from my Department's website at www.education.ie.

Integral components of draft area development plans are: details of existing primary and post primary provision, a drawing together and examination of the demographics of the area and other relevant factors, commentary on the data and recommendations for educational infrastructural provision in an area into the future.

The commission on school accommodation is currently conducting a public engagement process to which all interested parties can make submissions. All of these submissions will be published. The process will culminate in the publication of a final development plan for the area against which all capital funding decisions will be made over the next decade. I am confident that this ground breaking approach to school planning will provide a mechanism to ensure that capital funding is allocated in both a structured and a clearly identifiable manner into the future. Most importantly, all of the stakeholders in education will have the opportunity of having their voices heard to make the education of our children the all-inclusive process it should be.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

634 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress in relation to the provision of the extra facilities at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare during the summer months of 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22917/04]

View answer

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

654 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress in relation to the provision of the extra facilities at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare during the summer months of 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22941/04]

View answer

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

655 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress in relation to the provision of the extra facilities at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare during the summer months of 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22942/04]

View answer

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

657 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress in relation to the provision of the extra facilities at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare during the summer months of 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22944/04]

View answer

I propose to take Questions Nos. 634, 654, 655 and 657 together.

I am pleased to inform the Deputy that construction work is under way on the projects in question.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

635 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress in relation to the provision of the extra facilities at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare during the summer months of 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22918/04]

View answer

Emmet Stagg

Question:

673 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Science the position in relation to the required extension at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22972/04]

View answer

I propose to take Questions Nos. 635 and 673 together.

The planning section of my Department has not received any application for capital funding from the school to which the Deputies refer.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

636 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress in relation to the provision of the extra facilities at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare during the summer months of 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22919/04]

View answer

It is not my intention to sanction retrospective funding for this project which was progressed without the agreement of my Department. The school building programme lists projects to be funded in any given year. The school authority has been advised of this decision.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

637 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress in relation to the provision of the extra facilities at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare during the summer months of 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22920/04]

View answer

Historically, key decisions on educational provision have tended to be taken without any reference to the public at large. My decision to publish an annual school building programme has reinforced my strongly held conviction that all key decisions relating to educational infrastructure should be made in an open and transparent manner. For this reason, earlier this year I introduced a new planning model for educational infrastructure with the aim of ensuring 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 planning model is the publication of area development plans which will set out a blueprint for schools' development in an area into the future.

In June, I published the draft plan for the area around the N4-M4 route from Leixlip to Kilcock, including Celbridge and Maynooth and from Enfield through to Kilbeggan including Longwood, Edenderry and Killucan. Full details of the draft plan are available from my Department's website at www.education.ie. Integral components of draft area development plans are: details of existing primary and post-primary provision; a drawing together and examination of the demographics of the area and other relevant factors; commentary on the data; and recommendations for educational infrastructural provision in an area into the future.

The commission on school accommodation is conducting a public engagement process to which all interested parties can make submissions. All of these submissions will be published. The process will culminate in the publication of a final development plan for the area against which all capital funding decisions will be made over the next decade.

I am confident that this ground breaking approach to school planning will provide a mechanism to ensure that capital funding is allocated in both a structured and a clearly identifiable manner into the future. Most importantly, all of the stakeholders in education will have the opportunity of having their voices heard to make the education of our children the all-inclusive process it should be.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

638 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress in relation to the provision of the extra facilities at a school (details supplied) in Dublin 24 during the summer months of 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22921/04]

View answer

The 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 has a band 3 rating and is at advanced architectural planning. My Department’s officials are reviewing all projects that were not authorised to proceed to construction as part of the 2004 school building programme, including the school in question with a view to including them as part of a multi-annual school building programme from 2005. I expect to make further announcements in this regard before the end of the year.

Question No. 639 answered with QuestionNo. 628.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

640 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress in relation to the provision of the extra facilities at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare during the summer months of 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22923/04]

View answer

The school in question was sanctioned grant-aid for roof repairs under the terms of the summer works scheme 2004. The work has progressed to the extent that 70% of the funding has been drawn down by the school authority.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

641 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress in relation to the provision of the extra facilities at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare during the summer months of 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22924/04]

View answer

My Department has no application for extra facilities at St. Wolstan's School, Celbridge, County Kildare.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

642 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress in relation to the provision of the extra facilities at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare during the summer months of 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22929/04]

View answer

The planning section of my Department has not received any application for capital funding from the school to which the Deputy refers.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

643 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress in relation to the provision of the extra facilities at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare during the summer months of 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22930/04]

View answer

Historically, key decisions on educational provision have tended to be taken without any reference to the public at large. My decision to publish an annual school building programme has reinforced my strongly held conviction that all key decisions relating to educational infrastructure should be made in an open and transparent manner. For this reason, earlier this year I introduced a new planning model for educational infrastructure with the aim of ensuring 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 planning model is the publication of area development plans which will set out a blueprint for schools' development in an area into the future. In June, I published the draft plan for the area around the N4-M4 route from Leixlip to Kilcock, including Celbridge and Maynooth and from Enfield through to Kilbeggan, including Longwood, Edenderry and Killucan. Full details of the draft plan are available from my Department's website at www.education.ie.

Integral components of draft area development plans are: details of existing primary and post-primary provision; a drawing together and examination of the demographics of the area and other relevant factors; commentary on the data; and recommendations for educational infrastructural provision in an area into the future.

The commission on school accommodation is conducting a public engagement process to which all interested parties can make submissions. All of these submissions will be published. The process will culminate in the publication of a final development plan for the area against which all capital funding decisions will be made over the next decade. I am confident that this ground-breaking approach to school planning will provide a mechanism to ensure that capital funding is allocated in both a structured and a clearly identifiable manner into the future. Most importantly, all of the stakeholders in education will have the opportunity of having their voices heard to make the education of our children the all-inclusive process it should be.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

644 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress in relation to the provision of the extra facilities at a school (details supplied) in County Dublin during the summer months of 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22931/04]

View answer

The project in question is listed for proceeding to tender and construction as part of the 2004 school building programme. This project is at tender stage and a tender report is awaited from the management authority, County Dublin VEC.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

645 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress in relation to the provision of the extra facilities at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare during the summer months of 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22932/04]

View answer

It is assumed the Deputy is referring to St Brigid's national school which was sanctioned grant-aid for roof repairs under the terms of the summer works scheme 2004. The work has progressed to the extent that 70% of the funding has been drawn down by the school authority.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

646 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress in relation to the provision of a new primary school at Kill, County Kildare during the summer months of 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22933/04]

View answer

The property management of the OPW, which acts on behalf of my Department regarding site acquisitions generally, is exploring the possibility of acquiring a site for Kill National School, Kill, County Kildare. Due to the commercial sensitivities of site acquisitions, it is not proposed at this stage to identify specific sites to be acquired. However, this information will be placed on my Department's website when the relevant acquisitions have been completed.

Question No. 647 answered with QuestionNo. 622.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

648 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress in relation to the provision of the extra facilities at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare during the summer months of 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22935/04]

View answer

Emmet Stagg

Question:

668 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Science the position in relation to the provision of additional accommodation at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22967/04]

View answer

I propose to take Questions Nos. 648 and 668 together.

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 multiannual approach to the school building programme. I expect to provide details of this multiannual programme before the end of the current year.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

649 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress in regard to the provision of the extra permanent classrooms at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare during the summer months of 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22936/04]

View answer

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

659 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress in relation to the provision of the extra facilities at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare during the summer months of 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22946/04]

View answer

I propose to take Questions Nos. 649 and 659 together.

The extension project at the school to which the deputy refers is listed in section 1 of the 2004 school building programme to proceed to tender and construction in 2004. The project is at tender stage and the tender report is being assessed by officials in the school building unit.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

650 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science when he expects to be in a position to provide extra facilities urgently required at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; if new temporary prefabs will be provided in 2004 to replace the existing ones which are dilapidated, unsafe and continually being patched up; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22937/04]

View answer

Emmet Stagg

Question:

672 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Science the position in relation to the application for additional accommodation at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22971/04]

View answer

I propose to take Questions Nos. 650 and 672 together.

Historically, key decisions on educational provision have tended to be taken without any reference to the public at large. My decision to publish an annual school building programme has reinforced my strongly held conviction that all key decisions relating to educational infrastructure should be made in an open and transparent manner. For this reason, earlier this year I introduced a new planning model for educational infrastructure with the aim of ensuring 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 planning model is the publication of area development plans which will set out a blueprint for schools' development in an area into the future. In June, I published the draft plan for the area around the N4-M4 route from Leixlip to Kilcock, including Celbridge and Maynooth and from Enfield through to Kilbeggan, including Longwood, Edenderry and Killucan. Full details of the draft plan are available from my Department's website at www.education.ie.

Integral components of draft area development plans are: details of existing primary and post primary provision; a drawing together and examination of the demographics of the area and other relevant factors; commentary on the data; and recommendations for educational infrastructural provision in an area into the future.

The commission on school accommodation is conducting a public engagement process to which all interested parties can make submissions. All these submissions will be published and the process will culminate in the publication of a final development plan for the area against which all capital funding decisions will be made over the next decade.

I am confident this ground-breaking approach to school planning will provide a mechanism to ensure that capital funding is allocated in both a structured and a clearly identifiable manner into the future. Most importantly, all the stakeholders in education will have the opportunity of having their voices heard to make the education of our children the all-inclusive process it should be.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

651 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress in relation to the provision of the extra facilities required at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare during the summer months of 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22938/04]

View answer

Emmet Stagg

Question:

666 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Science the position in relation to the provision of a new national school at Ardclough, County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22965/04]

View answer

I propose to take Questions Nos. 651 and 666 together.

The property management section of the Office of Public Works, which acts on behalf of my Department in relation to site acquisitions generally, is continuing to explore the possibility of acquiring a site for Ardclough national school, County Kildare. Due to the commercial sensitivities of site acquisitions, it is not proposed at this stage to identify specific sites to be acquired. However, this information will be placed on my Department's website when the relevant acquisitions have been completed. The question of the provision of new accommodation for the school will be considered further when a site has been acquired.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

652 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress in relation to the provision of the extra facilities at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare during the summer months of 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22939/04]

View answer

My Department has funded the provision of a new eight-classroom school building, including a double autistic unit for the school referred to by the Deputy.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

653 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress in relation to the provision of the extra facilities at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare during the summer months of 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22940/04]

View answer

The 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 has a band 2 rating and is at stage 3, developed sketch scheme, of architectural planning. My Department’s officials recently wrote to the school authorities requesting additional information on their stage submission and a response is awaited.

My Department's officials are reviewing all projects that were not authorised to proceed to construction as part of the 2004 school building programme, including the school in question, with a view to including them as part of a multiannual school building programme from 2005. I expect to make further announcements in this regard before the end of the year.

Questions Nos. 654 and 655 answered with Question No. 634.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

656 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress in relation to the provision of the extra facilities at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare during the summer months of 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22943/04]

View answer

The planning section of my Department has not received any application for capital funding from the school to which the Deputy refers.

Question No. 657 answered with QuestionNo. 634.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

658 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress in relation to the provision of the extra facilities at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare during the summer months of 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22945/04]

View answer

A large-scale extension project has recently been completed at the school in question.

Question No. 659 answered with QuestionNo. 649.
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