Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 21 March 2012
134 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a school (details supplied) in County Westmeath has not been included on the recent major school building projects considering that all classes are currently being taught in rented prefabs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15283/12]
View answerThe school to which the Deputy refers currently operates with temporary recognition and has applied to my Department for permanent recognition. My Department's Inspectorate has been requested to visit the school in this regard and to provide a report on the matter. The question of permanent recognition will be considered following receipt and consideration of the Inspector's Report and a decision will be conveyed to the school authority in due course.
In view of the need to ensure that every child has access to a school place, the delivery of major school projects to meet future demographic demands nationally will be the main focus for capital investment in schools in the coming years. The five year programme announced on 12 March last is focused on meeting those demographic needs. In that context, it was not possible to advance all applications for capital funding concurrently and the project for the school referred to by the Deputy was not included in the five year plan.
My Department is aware that the school referred to by the Deputy is currently located in rented accommodation and that a new school is required to meet its long term needs. However, in light of current competing demands on the Department's capital budget, it is not possible at this time to give an indicative timeframe for the progression of a project at this time.
135 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a school (details supplied) in County Westmeath has not been included on the recent major schools building projects list considering that this school was on a previous list announced by the previous Minister for Education. [15284/12]
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. A stage 2(b) submission was recently reviewed by my Department and the design team were requested to revise and resubmit the submission.
School building projects currently in architectural planning, including the project referred to by the Deputy, will continue to be advanced incrementally over time within the context of the funding available.
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 stage at this time.
