Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 July 2012
249 Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a school (details supplied) in County Louth in view of their extension plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32183/12]
View answerThe building project referred to by the Deputy is currently at an early stage of Architectural Planning.
The Design Team was appointed earlier this year and has commenced stage 1 (Preliminary Sketch Design) of the design process. My Department held a preliminary meeting with the Board of Management and its Design Team in May to expedite the progress of the project through Architectural Planning. Following this meeting my Department is awaiting the submission of stage 1 design works from the Board of Management and their Design team.
School building projects, including the one referred to by the Deputy, which have not been included in the five year construction programme, will continue to be progressed to final planning stages in anticipation of the possibility of further funds being available to the Department in future years.
250 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the provision of a new school and attendant facilities at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; when it is expected the programme might be accelerated in view of the urgent need and the seriously deficient facilities currently in existence; if he will authorise the advancement of plans with a view to the provision of the promised alternative facilities at the earliest possible date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32186/12]
View answerThe delivery of the proposed replacement school building at the school referred to by the Deputy has been devolved to Co. Kildare VEC. The VEC has appointed a Design Team and the building project for the school is currently at an early stage of architectural planning.
The project is included on the 5 year construction programme and is scheduled to proceed to tender and construction in 2013.
251 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the need to upgrade and extend and or replace the facilities at having particular regard to the demographics of the area, the replacement of prefabricated structures and the possibility of engaging with the school management authorities with a view to identifying the best possible options to advance and progress any proposals at the earliest possible date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32187/12]
View answerMy Department has received an application for an extension from the school in question which has been assigned a Band 2 rating in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria for large scale building projects.
The Deputy will appreciate, that in view of the financial constraints imposed by the need, as outlined in the Five Year Plan, to prioritise available funding for the provision of essential school accommodation to meet demographic demand, it is not possible to indicate at this point when a project for the school in question will be progressed.
252 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills when it is likely that the plan to replace permanently existing and proposed temporary buildings at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare with particular reference to the identification of a strategic plan incorporating adjacent and available extra site facilities, the adoption of a specific timescale for the provision of the facilities promised by his predecessor; if the relevant section of his Department has had an opportunity to carry out a full evaluation of the requirements for the urgent replacement of the facilities outlined; if he expects to be in a position notwithstanding the current economic situation to advance the project to its development stage at an early date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32188/12]
View answerMy Department has received an application from the school referred to by the Deputy for capital works to provide an extension. Due to the limitations of the school's site, additional land will be required to facilitate an extension. In this regard, my Department is currently in the process of acquiring additional land which is adjacent to two existing schools, one of which is the school referred to by the Deputy. However, due to commercial sensitivities relating to site acquisitions generally, I am not in a position to comment further at this time.
The Deputy will appreciate, that in view of the financial constraints imposed by the need, as outlined in the Five Year Plan, to prioritise available funding for the provision of essential school accommodation to meet demographic demand, it is not possible to indicate at this point when a project for the school in question will be progressed.
In the meantime, the school was invited to partake in the Prefab Replacement Initiative. However, for various reasons, the school has indicated that it is unlikely to be in a position to participate in this initiative.
