Vol. 545 No. 1
324 Mr. G. Reynolds asked the Minister for Education and Science when building works will commence for the recently announced second level school in Ballinamore, County Leitrim; the number of students the school will cater for; and the number of staff which will be employed at the school. [29611/01]
My Department recently agreed a long-term projected enrolment figure of 400 pupils with the trustees of the proposed new community school in Ballinamore. Negotiations regarding the extent of accommodation to be provided, and the location of the school, are under way with the trustees. It is expected that these matters will be finalised early in the new year, at which point architectural planning of the project can commence. An educational worksheet was recently sent to the relevant school authorities, which will detail the curricular activities proposed by the school authority for the long-term and so allow officials in my Department to determine the staffing requirements of the new school.
325 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Education and Science if his Department has sanctioned a Portacabin to provide an additional classroom at St. Iberius school, Wexford; if, in the event that the board of management of the school could fund the building of an extension to the existing premises as an alternative to the Portacabin, whether the cost of such works would eventually be repaid by his Department to the board of management; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29612/01]
I have been informed that my Department's building unit does not appear to have received an application for grant aid towards the cost of temporary accommodation at St. Iberius school, Wexford. My Department is not in a position at present to say if funding would be available retrospectively for an extension at St. Iberius school as this would depend on factors such as the number of projects being processed in any particular year, the priority to be afforded to these projects, the annual financial allocation available for school building projects and my Department's building unit being satisfied with the plans for the proposed extension at St Iberius school. At present, there are over 800 school building projects in architectural planning and these are being processed as quickly as possible.
