Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 February 2010
379 Deputy Michael Kennedy asked the Minister for Education and Science if contractors will be appointed for the construction of two permanent school buildings (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5444/10]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, notification of intention to grant planning permission for the two schools to which he refers issued from the local authority on the 28th of January 2010. Any decision to progress this project is contingent, among other things, on the receipt of the final decision to grant.
When the necessary statutory approvals are received my Department will examine their implications and the project will be given further consideration at that point.
380 Deputy Pádraic McCormack asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the provision of a new school (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5446/10]
View answerThe project to which the Deputy refers is currently at an advanced stage of architectural planning.
In January 2010 my Department authorised this project to progress to stage 2b. This includes applying for Planning Permission, Fire certificate and Disability Access Certificate and the preparation of tender documentation.
The proposed building project will be considered in the context of the Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme for 2010 and subsequent years. 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 delivery of the project at this time.
381 Deputy Deirdre Clune asked the Minister for Education and Science the status of a school (details supplied) on the school building programme; when his Department will respond to Cork County Council’s request for further information regarding this outstanding planning application; if the necessary funding is in place to complete the project once planning is approved; when construction of the school will begin; if it will be completed before the start of the next school year in September 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5465/10]
View answerThe project to which the Deputy refers was one of 25 that I announced would commence architectural planning in February 2009. Since then, my officials have prepared detailed drawings and the local authority facilitated a number of preplanning meetings prior to the lodgement of a planning application. Following the preplanning meetings, my Department addressed the issues raised by the local authority and submitted a planning application for the new school. The local authority subsequently issued an additional information request, which raised some new issues. My Department responded to the additional information request in full. I understand the local authority has recently issued a further additional information request raising further issues. My officials are currently preparing a response to this second additional information request.
Any decision to progress this project is contingent, among other things, on the receipt of the necessary statutory approvals and the completion by the school patron of the acquisition of the site for the proposed new school building.
When a decision regarding planning permission is made, my Department will examine the implications for the project. The progression of the project to construction will be given further consideration at that point. My Department will continue to liaise with the patron and the school authorities regarding the proposed project.
