Vol. 529 No. 4
266 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the need for substantial maintenance and remedial work on a school (details supplied) in County Wicklow; if he will ensure that the necessary funds are made available to have this work expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3155/01]
In January 2001, officials of my Department wrote to the chairperson of the board of management of the school to which the Deputy refers authorising the invitation of tenders to carry out structural repairs at the school. When the tender report is received, this matter will be progressed further.
267 Mr. Power asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will provide funds for a new national school in Castledermot, County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3156/01]
My Department is considering the most efficient and cost-effective way of providing appropriate long-term accommodation for Castledermot national school. The application is one of a large number of applications on hand within my Department and it will be processed as quickly as possible. The school authorities will be kept informed of developments.
268 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Science when the standard template for physical education halls will be available; the reasons for the delay in producing such a plan; the intentions of the Department in relation to schools and sites which this new template does not suit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3167/01]
It is expected that the templates for PE halls will be available in the second quarter of this year. There have been no undue delays in producing these templates. It is envisaged that the templates will be applicable to the vast majority of schools having adequate sites to accommodate the proposed hall. Regarding individual schools to which the templates may be unsuited, it will be necessary to assess the particular difficulties presenting and determine an appropriate response.
269 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Science if his Department will sanction the construction of a new gymnasium at the Christian Brothers secondary school, James Street, Kilkenny, designed to suit the site in question; if officials of his Department have examined the site; if so, if a report on the site is available; if he will give a timeframe for the consideration of this project; and when it is likely that construction will commence. [3168/01]
An application to construct a PE hall at the CBS Secondary School, James Street, Kilkenny, is being reviewed by the staff in the building unit of my Department as the site presents inherent difficulties. Officials from my Department have examined the site and determined that the standard template physical education hall is inappropriate in this case due to the confined nature of the site. There are also aesthetic constraints affecting the building as proposed as it would abut directly onto an old stone wall forming part of historic Kilkenny City. The planning, historical, and archaeological factors affecting the site are being investigated.
Owing to the uniqueness of the site and the associated constraints, identifying a timeframe for the commencement of construction cannot, at present, be estimated. My Department is, however, making every effort to address the need for a PE hall at the school.
270 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress which has been made to date with an application for new school accommodation at Loughegar, Mullingar, County Westmeath; the accommodation which it is intended to provide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3169/01]
My Department is assessing the most efficient and cost-effective way of meeting the long-term accommodation needs of Loughegar national school, Mullingar. The school authorities will be kept informed of developments.
Question No. 271 answered with Question No. 232.
272 Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for Education and Science when approval will issue to the board of management of a national school (details supplied) in County Kilkenny in respect of its application for an extension to its school. [3223/01]
The application referred to by the Deputy is being examined in the planning and building unit of my Department and a response will issue to the board of management of the school as soon as possible.
