Schools Building Projects.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 September 2008

Wednesday, 24 September 2008

Questions (1770)

Paul Nicholas Gogarty

Question:

1863 Deputy Paul Gogarty asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the fact that costs for operating a prefab at a school (details supplied) in Dublin 20 are now in the region of €12,300 per month, not including heating or electricity, an extra telephone and broadband line and extra insurance and that the first ESB bill was €1,400 and the second €7,511; if in view of the fact that such costs, which would be typical in other schools awaiting the go-ahead for proper extensions, any cost benefit analysis has been carried out which would justify not speeding up the programme by investing upfront, thus saving schools and ultimately the Exchequer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31078/08]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)

A building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is at an advanced stage of architectural planning and the temporary accommodation approved for the school is required to facilitate the progression of the building project. The commencement and progression of all large scale building projects from initial design stage through to construction phase, including this project, will be considered in the context of my Department's Multi-Annual School Building and Modernisation Programme. However, in light of current competing demands on the capital budget of the Department, it is not possible to give an indicative timeframe for the further progression of the project at this time.