Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 2 Oct 1996

Vol. 469 No. 3

Written Answers. - County Galway School Project.

Noel Treacy

Ceist:

122 Mr. N. Treacy asked the Minister for Education the reason a project (details supplied) in County Galway has not commenced in spite of the fact that it was sanctioned over a year and a half ago; if the money has been made available in 1996 for this project in line with the sanction given; if not, the reason the money has been withdrawn; the date on which the money will be made available; the amount of money being made available; if her attention has been drawn to the frustration of management, teachers, pupils and parents in this situation; if her attention has further been drawn to the fact that the local contribution has been available for a long period of time; the reason it has not been accepted to date; the amount of local contribution required; when the project will commence; the total cost of this project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17264/96]

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

I included a building project at the school to which the Deputy refers in my Department's capital programme for 1995. The decision to include the school in the programme must be seen as the beginning of a process involving preparation of sketch design drawings, planning permission and fire certificate, contract documentation, tender and contract. Specific funding is not ear-marked for a capital project until all of this planning process is completed.

The current position on the project is that my Department is examining applications from contractors who have expressed an interest in being included in the tender list for the project. When this is completed, a decision will be made on the timing of the tender process in light of funds available.

When the contract is placed my Department will then be in a position to state the project cost and to calculate the local contribution due. This will then be requested from the school authorities. I fully appreciate the concerns of people locally and I assure the Deputy that every effort is being made to expedite this project.