Schools Building Projects Status

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 28 March 2013

Thursday, 28 March 2013

Questions (112)

Brendan Smith

Question:

112. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a proposed building project for a school (details supplied) in County Cavan; when this project is expected to move to the next stage; the likely timescale for the project to reach construction stage; if his attention has been drawn to the fact there is an urgent need to provide appropriate permanent accommodation in view of the sizeable increase in enrolment in this school over the past number of years; the substantial costs involved in renting accommodation on a different site and the extra demands on personnel with a second school site apart from the main school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15882/13]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The major building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is at an early stage of architectural planning.

A Revised Stage 2(a) Submission is currently with my Department for review. Once this Review is complete, and subject to no further issues arising, the project will progress to Stage 2b which includes applications for Planning Permission, Fire Safety Certification, Disability Access Certification and the preparation of tender documents.

However 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.

Schools which have not been included in the five year construction programme, 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.