Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 3 Jul 1996

Vol. 468 No. 1

Written Answers. - Ratoath (Meath) School.

Mary Wallace

Ceist:

149 Miss M. Wallace asked the Minister for Education the immediate action, if any, she will take to cater for the 70 new junior infant pupils and 20 new senior infant pupils who have enrolled in Ratoath national school, County Meath for September 1996 in view of the fact there is no classroom accommodation available for them; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that an additional 40 pupils have enrolled in Ratoath national school for 1996 as a result of the large number of new houses being built in the area and that the existing school accommodation for 270 pupils is unable to cater for the influx of 130 new pupils and that immediate emergency accommodation is required; if her attention has further been drawn to her reply to correspondence to Deputy Miss M. Wallace in July 1995 in which she gave a commitment that two classrooms would be provided in 1995 and a further two classrooms would be provided in 1996, and that it is due to the fact that this commitment has not been honoured that the school finds itself in this emergency situation; and if she will make a statement on the immediate emergency works, if any, that can be undertaken to help Ratoath school in this crisis. [14635/96]

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

I am aware of the housing development in the Ratoath area, the increasing enrolments at the school, and the urgent need for additional classrooms. At present, my Department is awaiting proposals from the school management on the best way or providing accommodation for September.

As I indicated to the Deputy in July 1995, I included Ratoath national school in the 1995 capital programme. The decision to include the school in the programme must be seen as the beginning of a process involving examination of enrolment projections, sketch design work, planning permission, fire certificate, contract documentation, tender, construction and completion. The entire process takes two-three years in most cases.

In this case, the school has appointed its own architect and planning permission has been sought for the proposed extension. My Department cannot advance the project further until planning permission and fire certificate have been received.