Schools Building Projects.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 February 2005

Tuesday, 8 February 2005

Questions (427, 428, 429, 430)

Enda Kenny

Question:

480 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Science if approval has been given to provide a new school to replace a school (details supplied) in County Mayo; when official recognition was given to this school; if her attention has been drawn to a situation whereby €60,000 in rent is being paid per year for existing buildings; if her attention has further been drawn to the inadequate facilities that exist and of the availability of suitable sites; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3642/05]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Science (Ms Hanafin)

The school referred to by the Deputy opened in September 1998 with provisional recognition and was granted permanent recognition in 2002. My Department is currently providing grant aid towards the rental of temporary accommodation for the school, at a rate of 95% of the rental costs.

The acquisition of a site for the school referred to by the Deputy is being considered in the context of the schools building and modernisation programme and the Deputy will be aware that I recently announced the first phase of this programme, providing details of 122 major school building projects which will prepare tenders and move to construction during 2005. This is the first in a series of announcements, I plan to make in the coming period that will include the following: details of schools identified as suitable for construction under public private partnerships; an expansion of the number of schools that will be invited to deliver their building projects on the basis of devolved funding; details of schools with projects approved under the 2005 summer works scheme; schools whose projects will further progress through the design process and schools that will be authorised to commence architectural planning.

Jim O'Keeffe

Question:

481 Mr. J. O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Education and Science the situation regarding a new school extension (details supplied). [3643/05]

Minister for Education and Science (Ms Hanafin)

Aghinagh national school has been offered devolved funding by my Department for a new school building. Discussions between the Department and the board of management of the school are ongoing and an official from the building unit in the Department is visiting the school this week to see if agreement can be reached with regard to the offer of devolved funding.

Jim O'Keeffe

Question:

482 Mr. J. O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Education and Science the situation regarding proposed extensions to schools (details supplied) in County Cork. [3791/05]

Minister for Education and Science (Ms Hanafin)

The proposed extensions at the schools to which the Deputy refers have been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria, which was revised following consultation with the education partners and the project is being considered for the 2005 school building programme.

The Deputy will be aware that I recently announced the first phase of the 2005 school building programme which provided details of 122 major school building projects countrywide which will prepare tenders and move to construction during 2005. This announcement is the first in a series of announcements I plan to make in the coming period in relation to the schools building and modernisation programme that will include the following: details of schools identified as suitable for construction under public private partnerships; an expansion of the number of schools that will be invited to deliver their building projects on the basis of devolved funding; details of schools with projects approved under the 2005 summer works scheme; schools whose projects will further progress through the design process and schools that will be authorised to commence architectural planning.

Enda Kenny

Question:

483 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding funding for provision of proper toilet facilities at a school (details supplied) in County Mayo; when such work can commence this year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3793/05]

Minister for Education and Science (Ms Hanafin)

An extension and refurbishment project at the school to which the Deputy refers has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria, which was revised following consultation with the education partners and the project is being considered for the 2005 school building programme.

The Deputy will be aware that I recently announced the first phase of the 2005 school building programme which provided details of 122 major school building projects countrywide which will prepare tenders and move to construction during 2005. This announcement is the first in a series of announcements I plan to make in the coming period in relation to the schools building and modernisation programme that will include the following: details of schools identified as suitable for construction under public private partnerships; an expansion of the number of schools that will be invited to deliver their building projects on the basis of devolved funding; details of schools with projects approved under the 2005 summer works scheme; schools whose projects will further progress through the design process and schools that will be authorised to commence architectural planning.