Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 April 2013
459. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding an application for an extension and refurbishment works to a school (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17010/13]
View answerThe building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is currently awaiting the appointment of a Design Team and the commencement of architectural planning. Due to competing demands on the 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 5 year construction programme announced in 2012.
School building projects currently in or commencing architectural planning but not included in the current five year construction programme, including the project referred to by the Deputy, will continue to be progressed to final planning stages in anticipation of the possibility of further funds being available to the Department in the future.
However, in light of current competing demands on the Department's capital budget, it is not possible to indicate, at this time, the timeframe for the progression of this project to tender and construction stage.
