Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 21 March 2012
121 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a school (details supplied) County Roscommon was excluded from his Department’s multiannual capital programme; if he will review its exclusion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15048/12]
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 early stage of architectural planning. The Stage 2a Submission (Developed Sketch Design) has recently been received in the Department. When the submission has been reviewed and assuming no issues arise, the project will then proceed to stage 2(b) which includes an application for planning permission and the preparation of tender documents. 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.
