Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 27 October 2004
131 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Science the action she is taking to upgrade secondary schools in County Roscommon; the action she is taking to upgrade primary schools in County Roscommon; and if she will make a statement on the matter [25989/04]
View answerThe 2004 school building programme is a further major step in progressing this Government's consistent commitment since 1997 to deal with school accommodation needs. It details in excess of 200 significant school building projects that are being authorised to proceed to tender and construction in 2004.
The projects in Roscommon that are listed in the programme for proceeding to tender and construction this year include primary schools at Ballyforan, Cloonbonniff, Ballanagare and Ballyleague. A further two schools, Grange NS in Boyle and Abbey NS in Roscommon, were added to this list as part of a subsequent additional allocation of €30 million to the school building programme.
Schools in Roscommon also benefited from the €31 million which was set aside in the 2004 programme for the summer works scheme. Applications from Ballyforan NS, Lisacul NS and Abbeycarton NS were successful under the 2004 scheme. At post-primary level, applications from Scoil Mhuire gan Smal, Roscommon, Scoil Mhuire, Strokestown and St. Nathy's College, Ballaghaderreen were also successful under the scheme.
There are a number of other projects listed in the 2004 school building programme for schools in Roscommon that are at various stages of architectural planning. These projects together with all other applications for capital funding are being considered in the context of a review of all projects countrywide which did not proceed to construction as part of the 2004 school building programme. This is 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, revised earlier this year in consultation with the education partners. Each project will be assigned a band rating and progress of all projects will be considered in the context of the multi-annual programme.
I expect to publish the multi-annual programme following conclusion of the current Estimates and budgetary process.
