Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 29 Jan 1997

Vol. 474 No. 1

Written Answers. - Schools Building Projects.

Michael Ahern

Ceist:

136 Mr. M. Ahern asked the Minister for Education if her Department has purchased a site in Summerhill, Mallow, County Cork for the erection of a new building for Gaelscoil Thomáis Dháibhís; if access to the site has been arranged; if she will ensure that urgent consultations are carried out between the primary sector and the vocational education committee; whether the new building will be ready for the new school year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2558/97]

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

A site has not been purchased in Summerhill, Mallow, County Cork for the erection of a new building for Gaelscoil Thomáis Dháibhís. As I indicated in my reply to Dáil Question No. 113 on Tuesday, 10 December 1996, I will be in a position to make a decision on this matter when the examinations currently being carried out by my Department of the overall accommodation situation in Mallow is completed. Every effort is being made to bring this examination to an early conclusion.

Preliminary inquiries have been made concerning access to a potential site. My Department's building unit is currently examining nominations for a design team for the proposed vocational education committee project. When this examination is completed and a design team is appointed, the question of access can be formally explored. At this point, however, I am not in a position to indicate when a new premises will be available for the gaelscoil.

Michael Ahern

Ceist:

137 Mr. M. Ahern asked the Minister for Education if she will ensure that the new vocational education committee school at Summerhill, Mallow, County Cork is included in the 1997 building programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2559/97]

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

A new vocational school to cater for 450 pupils is currently being planned for Summerhill, Mallow, County Cork. County Cork vocational education committee have submitted their proposed design team and a Stage 1 report for this project. These documents are currently being examined by my Department's technical staff. A response will be conveyed to County Cork vocational education committee as soon as possible and a planning and briefing meeting will then be convened in order to discuss this project.

At this stage, it is not possible to indicate when the project will proceed to construction as this will depend on the availability of funding and the Department's other commitments and priorities. However, every effort is being made to have the planning of the new school completed as soon as possible with a view to being in a position to invite tenders as soon as funding is available.

Noel Ahern

Ceist:

138 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for Education if funds have been allocated in the 1997 provisions for the previously approved extension to Ardscoil Rís, Marino, Dublin 3; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2560/97]

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

Architectural planning of the permanent extension at Ardscoil Rís, Marino, Dublin 3 is progressing. This project is currently at stage 4, Detail Design of the architectural planning process and is one of a number of projects being considered in the context of the 1997 capital allocation.