Vol. 547 No. 1
1376 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the position in regard to the provision of the extra facilities required at Sallins primary school, Sallins, County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2674/02]
The allocation for primary buildings in 2002 is 153.6 million, which is a record level of funding and demonstrates this Government's commitment to improving accommodation in primary schools. This is almost four times the previous Government's investment in 1997. In view of the greatly increased level of activity in the primary buildings area since this Government came into office, there has been a substantial increase in the number of major and minor building projects in construction and this has given rise to a record level of building and refurbishment activity.
Sallins national school is being refurbished as part of the Government's programme and is currently in architectural planning. It will continue to the preparation of tender documents and the invitation to tenders, as soon as it is possible to do so, under the expanded building programme.
1377 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the position in regard to the provision of extra facilities at Rathmore primary school, Naas, County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2675/02]
The allocation for primary buildings in 2002 is 153.6 million, which is a record level of funding and demonstrates this Government's commitment to improving accommodation in primary schools. This is almost four times the previous Government's investment in 1997. In view of the greatly increased level of activity in the primary buildings area since this Government came into office, there has been a substantial increase in the number of major and minor building projects in construction and this has given rise to a record level of building and refurbishment activity.
Rathmore national school is being refurbished as part of the Government's programme and is currently in architectural planning. It will continue to the invitation to tenders, as soon as it is possible to do so, under the expanded building programme.
1378 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress to date in 2002 regarding the provision of new and extra facilities in respect of Kill primary school, Kill, County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2676/02]
The property management section of the Office of Public Works is acting on behalf of my Department in relation to site acquisitions generally and is currently exploring the possibility of acquiring a site for Kill national school, County Kildare. The school authorities will be kept informed of developments.
1379 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the provision of extra facilities at Scoil an Linbh-Iosa, Prosperous, County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2677/02]
The allocation for primary buildings in 2002 is 153.6 million, which is a record level of funding and demonstrates this Government's commitment to improving accommodation in primary schools. This is almost four times the previous Government's investment in 1997. In view of the greatly increased level of activity in the primary buildings area since this Government came into office, there has been a substantial increase in the number of major and minor building projects in construction and this has given rise to a record level of building and refurbishment activity.
Scoil an Linbh-Iosa is being refurbished as part of the Government's programme and is currently in architectural planning. It will continue to the preparation of tender documents and the invitation to tenders as soon as it is possible to do so under the expanded building programme.
Question No. 1380 answered with Question No. 1122.
1381 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the provision of new and or alternative facilities at St. Patrick's post-primary school, Naas, County Kildare; if the full extent of the facilities including places likely to be provided or needed has been identified; when it is likely such a project will proceed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2679/02]
A proposal submitted by the chief executive officer of County Kildare VEC to relocate the St. Patrick's community college to a new site, including the possible sale of the existing school, is currently being considered by my Department's post-primary building and administration units. All possible options are being considered by my Department.
However, in order to progress this matter further a number of issues must firstly be resolved. A letter has recently issued to the chief executive officer in relation to these issues and on receipt of the relevant information the options will be further considered. The full extent of the facilities to be provided has yet to be established and this is currently being considered by my Department's planning section in conjunction with a review of the overall post-primary school provision in Naas.
1382 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science his plans for the augmentation of facilities at the various primary schools in Naas, County Kildare; the extent to which such needs have been identified; the timescale for such provision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2680/02]
A new 16 teacher primary school for Naas is currently in architectural planning. The original brief for this project is being reviewed in light of additional housing developments in the area and the possibility that the accommodation to be provided may need to be increased. The overall primary school accommodation requirements in the Naas area are being kept under regular review in the planning and building unit of my Department.
1383 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the extent to which he has identified the overall requirements regarding places and facilities at second level education at Naas, County Kildare; if he envisages a timescale for provision of extra facilities required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2681/02]
The position is that, following an evaluation of post-primary school requirements in Naas, building projects were approved for all three schools in the centre. The current status of these building projects is that the extension and refurbishment programme at St. Mary's college has been completed, while the building programme for meánscoil Iognáid Rís is in architectural planning. The need to extend and refurbish St. Patrick's post-primary school has been agreed in principle with the school's management authority, County Kildare Vocational Education Committee.
However, a more recent proposal has been received from the VEC to re-locate the school to a new site. Further information is awaited from the committee before this matter can be progressed. Overall post-primary school provision in the Naas area is currently under review in light of additional housing developments in the area and the possibility of increased demand for school places.
