Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 December 2004
362 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for projects (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on each project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if the projects are on schedule; if they are behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33163/04]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is not readily available in the format requested by him.
My officials in the planning and building unit are giving priority on work for the roll-out of projects for 2005. However, the general position is that of nearly 170 large-scale projects in the 2004 programme approximately 140 of them are currently on site. The balance of the projects are expected to proceed in early 2005. In broad terms there are many reasons which can cause unexpected delays in the pace at which some projects advance. These include an appeal of planning permission by third parties to An Bord Pleanála, contractors withdrawing tenders and design teams being slower than anticipated in getting projects tendered.
Many of the other projects referred to by the Deputy are devolved to schools for delivery by them. The information requested by the Deputy would not therefore be available within my Department.
363 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding a school (details supplied) in County Galway; if this school will be considered for the summer works scheme in 2005; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33165/04]
View answerThe management authority of the school to which the Deputy refers submitted an application in October last for various works under the summer works scheme 2005.
All applications for the 2005 scheme are being considered in the school planning section of my Department and it is planned to publish the list of successful applicants early in the new year.
364 Ms Burton asked the Minister for Education and Science if the site in respect of a school (details supplied) in Dublin 15 has been formally acquired by her Department in order that the building of the school can commence on schedule and as previously arranged; when the deal to acquire the school site can be closed in view of the concerns of parents at the school that the builder lined up to carry out the building of the new school may be lost if the agreed timetable is not adhered to. [33203/04]
View answerMy Department is aware of the urgent need for a new school building for the school in question. A new 24-classroom school was listed to proceed to tender and construction as part of the 2004 school building programme. The timeframe to have accommodation ready for the school was September 2005. Tenders for the detailed design and construction for this new school have been received and are currently being evaluated.
The property management section of the Office of Public Works, which purchases sites for new schools on behalf of my Department, has identified a suitable site for the new school building. I understand that solicitors for the vendor have now responded to a number of queries which had been raised by the Office of the Chief State Solicitor and that a meeting to discuss all other outstanding matters has been held.
My Department is intent on securing the site for the school in question as soon as possible. When this has been done the provision of a school building will proceed as a matter of urgency.
