Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 September 2011
152 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will give consideration to an application by a school (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24416/11]
View answerThe school referred to by the Deputy has recently submitted an application for additional funding in relation to a building project ongoing at the school.
The application is currently being examined by officials in the Planning and Building Unit of my Department who will be liaising with the school authorities with a view to obtaining more detailed information in this regard. On receipt of this information, a decision will be made and the school authorities notified accordingly.
153 Deputy Patrick O’Donovan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if emergency and additional funds can be sought by schools that encounter unforeseen difficulties in their building projects. [24463/11]
View answerSchool authorities are responsible for managing the delivery of their devolved building projects and ensuring that the project is delivered within the approved budget. To assist schools in this process, my Department provides Technical Guidance documents which are available on my Department's website at www.education.ie.
There can be occasions where a school's building project, while remaining within the scope of works approved by my Department, encounters unforeseen difficulties. In cases where these difficulties cannot be addressed from the approved budget request for additional funding will be considered on its own merits.
Where the scope of the projects has been increased above what has been approved by my Department all additional costs associated with this increase must be funded by the school authority.
