Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 22 March 2012
103 Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reasons schools (details supplied) have been removed from the new school building programme; the date on which this decision to remove the schools was made; the person responsible for this decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15965/12]
View answer105 Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to include schools (details supplied) in the new school building programme; the date on which this will occur; and the date on which it is envisaged that construction of a new school premises will begin. [15967/12]
View answer106 Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will ring fence funding in order to proceed with a new school building for schools (details supplied); his plans to ensure that children attending these schools will not have to attend classes in prefabs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15968/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 103, 105 and 106 together. In 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 securing Planning Permission, Fire Certificate and Disability Access Certificate (DAC) and the preparation of tender documents. 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 at this time.
