Written Answers Nos. 165-170
166. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a person (details supplied) in County Kildare who has secured a place in Maynooth College will be accepted as a non-international student; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22579/15]
View answerThe position is that higher education institutions are autonomous bodies and the criteria governing the level of tuition fees to be charged in the case of postgraduate study is a matter for the relevant institution to determine in line with its own criteria.
Tax relief is available on postgraduate tuition fees paid. Details in relation to this relief are available from the Revenue Commissioners at www.revenue.ie.
167. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding an application for a capital building project as of 1 June 2015 in respect of a school (details supplied) in County Mayo; when the proposed project will proceed to design stage; when it will go to tender; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22594/15]
View answerThe project referred to by the Deputy is currently completing the Design Team appointment process. Upon completion of the appointment of the Design Team, my Department Officials will be in direct contact with the Board of Management to commence Stage 1 of Architectural Planning, which is the initial sketch design stage.
It is not possible to progress all projects within the Department's building programme to construction concurrently due to competing demands on the Department's capital budget. However, School building projects, including the project for this school, which have been initiated but not included in the current five year construction programme will continue to be progressed to final planning stages in anticipation of the possibility of further funds being available to my Department in the future.
168. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Education and Skills the progress that has been made by her Department on its commitment to the construction of a school (details supplied) in County Meath. [22595/15]
View answerThe major building project for the School referred to by the Deputy is at an early stage of Architectural Planning. Following the Pre Stage 1 meeting held in November 2014, the project was authorised to progress to Stage 2A, which is the developed sketch design stage.
Upon successful completion of Stage 2A and subject to no issues arising, this project will then be authorised to proceed to Stage 2B - Detailed Design Stage, which includes applications for Planning Permission, Fire Safety Certification, Disability Access Certification and the preparation of tender documents.
This project is included on the five year construction programme announced in 2012, to proceed to tender and construction in 2015/16.
169. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of school extensions, extra classrooms and other facilities provided at primary and secondary level in the past four years; the extent to which this has alleviated problems related to class size and overcrowding; the degree to which she proposes to continue to tackle these problems; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22678/15]
View answerInformation requested by the Deputy is not readily available. My Department will revert directly to the Deputy in these matters.
170. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent of submissions received from the relevant school authorities at primary and secondary level for extra facilities such as new buildings, replacement buildings, temporary buildings and permanent structures; her plans to address these issues in the next five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22679/15]
View answer181. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which the total number of prefabricated classrooms at primary and secondary level throughout County Kildare has been identified; the steps in hand to replace such buildings with permanent structures; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22691/15]
View answer182. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which she has identified the smaller primary urban and rural schools throughout County Kildare which may require upgrading or modernisation to ensure their ability to provide the highest possible standard of education to the children attending; if she has identified a priority list for action in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22692/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 170, 181 and 182 together. I wish to advise the Deputy that details of all applications for major capital funding may be viewed on my Department's website at www.education.ie and this is updated regularly. The Deputy will be aware that over €2.2 billion in funding is being invested by my Department under its Five-Year School Capital Investment Plan (2012 – 2016). Over €1.5 billion of this is being allocated for the funding of major school building projects. The balance is being used for the additional accommodation scheme, the prefab replacement initiative, the Emergency Works Scheme and the acquisition of sites. The primary focus of the Plan is on meeting demographic demands to ensure that every child will have access to a physical school place and that our school system is in a position to cope with increasing pupil numbers. My Department continues to review the most up to date demographic information to ensure that any emerging school accommodation shortfalls are identified and met in a timely manner. In this regard my Department is currently carrying out a nationwide demographic exercise, including Co Kildare, to determine where school places might be needed from 2017 onwards. On foot of this review, arrangements will be made to provide additional accommodation where this is needed. Under my Department's Prefab Replacement Initiatives 2012 and 2013, approval was given to 217 schools (209 primary and 8 post-primary) nationwide, including Co. Kildare, to replace 614 prefab units with permanent accommodation. In excess of €57m has been allocated to these initiatives, of which €46.5m has been paid to date. Of the 217 projects approved, 168 projects have been completed and a further 14 projects are on site. In addition to the prefab replacement initiatives and as part of my Department's large scale school building programme, prefab accommodation continues to be replaced with permanent structures on an ongoing basis.
