Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 25 November 2004
225 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to the totally inadequate conditions that exist at a school (details supplied) in County Sligo: the plans she has in place to visit the school or meet with the board of management; when the refurbishment work will be sanctioned; the amount of funding that will be granted; when work will commence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30731/04]
View answerI am aware that the management authority of the school in question has applied for funding towards refurbishment works. The application is being considered as part of a review of all projects, which did not proceed to construction as part of the 2004 school building programme. All projects are being assessed against the published prioritisation criteria, revised earlier this year following consultation 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 school building programme from 2005 onwards.
I have no plans to visit the school or meet members of the board and within the resources available, neither would it be possible for the school planning section to visit all schools where funding for improvement works is sought. However, if required, school visits may be undertaken at the appropriate assessment stage of the process.
In addition to the refurbishment application, the management authority has recently submitted an application for grant aid under the summer works scheme 2005, SWS, for a hard surface play area. All SWS applications are being assessed in the school planning section of my Department and I intend to publish the list of successful early in the new year.
