Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 21 March 2012
108 Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Education and Skills if, in view of his response to Parliamentary Question No. 65 of 8 February 2012 if he will explain the reason a school building project (details supplied) has not been included in his recently announced five year school building programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14951/12]
View answerIn view of the need to ensure that every child has access to a school place, the delivery of major school projects to meet the demographic demands nationally will be the main focus for capital investment in schools in the coming years. The five year programme announced recently is focused on meeting those demographic needs. In that context, it was not possible to advance all applications for capital funding concurrently.
The building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is currently at an advanced stage of architectural planning. The Design Team are currently working on Stage 2(b) of Architectural Planning which includes Planning Permission, Fire Certificate and Disability Access Certificate (DAC). However, in light of current competing demands on the Department's capital budget, it is not possible to progress this project to tender and construction at this time.
109 Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the proposed opening date for a new second level school in Claregalway, County Galway, has changed to 2014 in view of the projected building date for the project in the recently announced five year school building plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14954/12]
View answerIn June 2011, I announced the establishment of 40 new schools nationally within the next six years, comprising of twenty new primary schools and twenty new post-primary schools including a new post primary school for Claregalway which will be established from September 2013. All of these schools are earmarked to proceed to construction over the duration of the 5 Year Plan.
The Department will be in communication with all those schools on the programme at the appropriate time in relation to the next steps to be taken in the architectural planning process including the provision of interim accommodation solutions, as appropriate.
The process of identifying a site for the new school building in Claregalway is under way. The timeline for when work will proceed on the permanent school building is indicated in my announcement on 12 March last i.e. each project is listed in the year which it is expected to proceed to construction which in the case of Claregalway Post Primary School is 2014.
