Schools Building Projects.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 December 2004

Thursday, 9 December 2004

Questions (224)

John McGuinness

Question:

221 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will fund the conversion of a classroom at a school (details supplied) in County Kilkenny for use as a computer room to assist in the delivery of two post-leaving certificates courses in computer studies and child care; if the cap on post-leaving certificate places in schools will be lifted in view of the fact that this school has 50 post-leaving certificate students and receives credit for only 23 of these; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32941/04]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Science (Ms Hanafin)

The application from the school to which the Deputy refers 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. Under this review, all projects are being assessed against the published prioritisation criteria which were 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, details of which will be announced over the coming months.

My Department has approved Kilkenny Vocational Education Committee for 390 places for post-leaving certificate courses. The decision to appoint the number of post-leaving certificate places for each individual school is a matter for the vocational education committee.