Vol. 397 No. 9
310 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the fact that, due to the acute shortage of space in the College of Commerce, Rathmines, Dublin 6, lecturers have to conduct classes in a nearby coffee shop because of lack of available classrooms; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
313 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Education if only £1 million from the £72.5 million allocated from the EC Structural Funds for technical training and educational purposes has been allocated towards the construction of the replacement college in Bishop Street, Dublin 2 for the College of Commerce, Rathmines, Dublin 6; if she will make up the shortfall to ensure that construction work on this project commences without delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
314 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Education if, in respect of the replacement college for the College of Commerce, Rathmines, Dublin 6, at Bishop Street, Dublin 2, construction will proceed without delay; (1) if the design of the new college has been approved by the Vocational Education Committee and her Department (2) if contract documents have been prepared (3) if tenders have been received (4) if a contract has been issued to the successful tenderer (5) if a programme of work, including a commencement date, has been agreed between the Vocational Education Committee, the design team, her Department, and the successful contractor; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
315 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Education if, in view of the minimum three year period it will take before the new replacement college at Bishop Street, Dublin 2 will be commissioned, she will authorise additional moneys for essential repairs and remedial work on dilapidated and inadequate buildings in the College of Commerce, Rathmines, Dublin 6; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 310, 313, 314 and 315 together.
Two third-level colleges, the College of Commerce and the College of Marketing and Design, will be amalgamated into a single unit on a site at Bishop Street, Dublin 2. The City of Dublin Vocational Education Committee is the client for this project. Architectural planning has already reached Stage 3 (Developed Sketch Scheme) of my Department's Design Team Procedures. The preparation of contract documents, the seeking of tenders, the programme of work and commencement date of construction are primarily matters for the City of Dublin Vocational Education Committee and its design team when the architectural planning has been completed.
The primary responsibility for the upkeep and maintenance of their existing buildings also rests with the City of Dublin Vocational Education Committee. A financial allocation is provided annually by my Department to the Vocational Education Committee for that purpose.
