Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 16 Oct 1991

Vol. 411 No. 1

Written Answers. - County Kildare Recreational Facilities.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

702 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education if she will outline the full extent of an open space available to the authorities at Confey College, Leixlip, County Kildare for the provision of recreational and other outdoor facilities at the college for the foreseeable future; the number of classes currently housed in permanent classrooms and the number still retained in prefabricated buildings on the site; and if she will further outline her intentions in regard to the development of the school including the development of outdoor facilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

704 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the current position with regard to the proposed extension of facilities at Confey College, Leixlip, County Kildare; the precise extent of facilities now proposed; if she has satisfied herself that such facilities, when provided, will cater for the student population in the area; if the necessary funds are available to carry out the work involved in the current year or if these are being provided for in the 1992 Estimates; when she expects that permanent classrooms will be provided to meet the full enrolment; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Education (Mrs. O'Rourke)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 702 and 704 together.

The site at Confey College is approximately 9.5 acres. There is provision in the plans of the new school development for recreational facilities appropriate to a school of its size.

There are currently 16 classrooms provided in temporary accommodation and four specialist areas provided in a masonry building.

Permanent accommodation, to cater for 500 pupils, is at an advanced stage of planning. I am satisfied that when this new accommodation has been provided the long term needs of the school will have been met. Any additional short term peak in enrolments can be addressed by the use of temporary accommodation as required.

As architectural planning of the project has not been completed it is not yet possible to say when tenders will be invited or when construction will commence. However, every effort will be made to complete the planning process without undue delay. With regard to the question of the funding of the project, the position is that the annual capital allocation for the second level building programme is made on a global basis and no specific amount is allocated for any individual project. Full consideration will be given to the funding of this project when the tenders have been received and examined.