Schools Building Projects Status

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 20 December 2012

Thursday, 20 December 2012

Questions (110)

Brendan Smith

Question:

110. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide an update in relation to the possibility of having a proposed building project restored to his Department's school building programme (details supplied) in County Cavan; if this project will be prioritised in view of the over-reliance on temporary accommodation at this school where enrolment has grown rapidly over the past number of years and where the long-term permanent accommodation needs of the school have been accepted for some time by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57463/12]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Ruairí Quinn)

The building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is currently at an advanced stage of architectural planning. My Department has authorised the project to proceed to Stage 2(b) of Architectural Planning which includes application for Planning Permission, Fire Certification, Disability Access Certification (DAC) and the preparation of tender documents.

Due to competing demands on my Department's capital budget, imposed by the need to prioritise the limited funding available for the provision of additional school accommodation to meet increasing demographic requirements, it was not possible to include this project in the five year construction programme announced earlier this year.

Schools which have not been included in the five year construction programme, including the one referred to by the Deputy, but which were announced for initial inclusion in the building programme will continue to be progressed to final planning stages in anticipation of the possibility of further funds being available to my Department in future years. The project referred to by the Deputy remains available to be considered for progression in that context.