Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 December 2009
409 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of additional schools he intends to provide in County Westmeath in 2010; the status of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47189/09]
View answerThe Forward Planning Section of my Department is in the process of carrying out detailed analysis of over 40 locations of highest population growth in order to identify the school accommodation requirements up to and including the school year 2014/2015. When the required reports have been completed for these initial areas selected the Forward Planning Section will continue to work on preparing reports on a priority basis for the remainder of the country. Overall primary and post-primary accommodation requirements in County Westmeath will be considered in this regard. The progression of all large scale building projects, including projects in County Westmeath, from initial design stage through to construction phase 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 progression of projects at this time.
