Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 April 2005
802 Mr. Grealish asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will provide funding for additional permanent accommodation of two classrooms for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9959/05]
View answer803 Mr. Grealish asked the Minister for Education and Science if a grant can be provided retrospectively for a school (details supplied) to meet the cost of completion of a car park at the school, which was necessary for safety reasons; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9960/05]I
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 802 and 803 together.
The application for additional accommodation at the school to which the Deputy refers is being examined in the school planning section of my Department. This process involves the consideration of all relevant factors, including enrolment and demographic trends in the area and the capacity of any other schools in the area to meet the anticipated demand. When these issues have been fully investigated by the Department, a decision will be made on how best to provide for the school's long term accommodation needs.
The position as regards the construction of a carpark is that the project was progressed by the school without the prior agreement of my Department, and retrospective funding was sought by way of an application under the 2004 summer works scheme. The application was rejected on the basis that it is not my Department's policy to sanction retrospective funding for any project progressed by a school authority without my Department's prior approval.
