Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 27 October 2004
347 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the position on the provision of extra facilities at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; the nature and extent of construction work; if she will indicate a timeframe for the completion of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26364/04]
View answerConstruction is under way at the school referred to by the Deputy. The project involves an extension comprising seven classrooms and a GP room together with the refurbishment of the existing school building. The project is due for completion in the latter half of 2005.
349 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress in relation to the provision of the extra permanent classrooms at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; if the tender report has been assessed to date by officials in the school building unit and the outcome of this assessment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26366/04]
View answerMy Department recently conveyed approval to the school authority to issue a letter of intent to place a contract with the cheapest tenderer for this project. It is expected that this project will commence on site shortly.
350 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the position in relation to the provision of extra facilities at a school (details supplied) in County Dublin; if she has received a tender report from the management authority, County Dublin Vocational Education Committee; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26367/04]
View answerA tender report has recently been received for the new school project at the school in question. This report is currently being examined by my Department's technical staff and the vocational education committee will be kept advised of developments.
351 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the position in relation to the provision of extra facilities at a school (details supplied) in Dublin 24; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26368/04]
View answerThe building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is at an advanced stage of architectural planning. It has a band 3 rating. As a result of security concerns, the Department decided to bring forward the boundary fencing part of the main project into a separate enabling works project. The school were informed of this in August 2004 and asked to request their design team to bring forward proposals. The Department is awaiting these proposals.
My officials are nearing completion of a review of all projects which did not proceed to construction as part of the 2004 school building programme with a view to including them as part of a multi-annual programme from 2005. All projects are being assessed against the published prioritisation criteria, agreed earlier this year with the education partners. Each project will be assigned a band rating and the progress of all projects will be considered in the context of the programme from 2005.
Following conclusion of the current Estimates and budgetary process, I intend to publish the 2005 building programme which will operate in a multi-annual framework.
353 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the position in relation to the provision of a new national school at Ardclough, County Kildare; if she will indicate if a site has been acquired; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26370/04]
View answerThe 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 site options 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 made available on my Department's website when the relevant acquisitions have been completed.
My officials are nearing completion of a review of all projects which did not proceed to construction as part of the 2004 school building programme with a view to including them as part of a multi-annual programme from 2005. All projects are being assessed against the published prioritisation criteria, agreed earlier this year with the education partners. Each project will be assigned a band rating and the progress of all projects will be considered in the context of the programme from 2005.
Following conclusion of the current Estimates and budgetary process, I intend to publish the 2005 building programme which will operate in a multi-annual framework.
