Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 23 Jun 1998

Vol. 492 No. 7

Written Answers. - Schools Refurbishment.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

25 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science whether he has satisfied himself with the current system for upgrading and extending the facilities at primary and second level schools; if he envisages a need to expedite the procedures whereby requests for extension and refurbishment from school authorities can be responded to quickly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14939/98]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

The Deputy will appreciate that the length of time a school capital project takes is dependent on a number of factors including available funding and necessary planning procedures.

For a number of years the level of funding for school capital projects has been very low in comparison with the level of demand. I have already made significant advances in this area with increases versus the 1997 allocation of £12 million, or 42 per cent, in the primary sector and £12 million, or 29 per cent, for second level. As a result, I have been able to progress a large number of projects which would have otherwise been delayed, including projects which were announced as being part of the capital programme in years where no funding was provided.

I am concerned that minor projects should not be delayed unnecessarily and, to that end, have made devolved grants totalling £10.5 million available to primary schools this year. In addition, my Department will shortly be piloting alternative procedures for carrying out professional tasks in the planning and design process with the aim of reducing costs and speeding up projects.

In so far as major projects are concerned, a lengthy process of architectural planning is unavoidable. Nevertheless, through the use of new technology and the streamlining of procedures, my Department has greatly improved the service to schools in recent times. The introduction of the minor capital grants scheme primary level has also greatly simplified the process in respect of small building projects.

In order to ensure that available resources are targeted at schools most in need of accommodation, the Department at my request is undertaking a study on the development of a system of project prioritisation.

This study will involve the identification of the criteria to be used in selecting school building projects for funding, taking account of the Department's policies and priorities in the area of planning and provision of school accommodation; a process of consultation with parents, management and teachers representatives in order to ascertain their views on the question of prioritisation and, in so far as is possible, to take account of those views in the development of the proposed system; the development of a system of prioritising school building projects based on the criteria identified and the consultations undertaken; and the development of an action plan for the implementation, monitoring and review of the system.

My Department has written to the various bodies representing parents, school management, teachers and others seeking their views on prioritisation and requesting nominations for the consultation process. The next step will be to arrange a series of meetings with the nominees and it is hoped to complete this part of the consultative process within the next few weeks. At that stage a report will be presented to me for consideration.