Joe Higgins
Ceist:39 Mr. Higgins (Dublin West) asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will make the necessary grants available for the refurbishment of Scoil Chiaráin, St. Canice's Road, Glasnevin. [4143/02]
Other Questions. - Schools Refurbishment.
I recently authorised the authorities of Scoil Chiaráin, St. Canice's Road, Glasnevin, to invite tenders for the refurbishment of the school. As soon as the tenders have been received and assessed, my Department will be in contact with the board of management regarding the placing of a contract for the works in question.
That sounds fine, but experience shows that these things do not happen automatically and that each stage is painfully slow. Approval for proceeding to the next stage does not mean that a school will be allowed move to a further stage. The request from Scoil Chiaráin has been with the Department for a considerable period and the school building is in extremely poor condition. When does the Minister expect to give final approval for this much needed building to go ahead?
This major project has reached a very important stage. I have seen the school and it certainly requires urgent attention. On 28 February, I wrote to the school authorities informing them they could go ahead with the tender, having regard to the nature of the situation. The matter can proceed as soon as the tenders are received and assessed. There will be no delay in that regard.
Without any delay?
Without any delay. Part of the problem is that, in letting it go to tender, one is virtually automatically getting into a certain cycle which can involve delay. I am not saying there has not been delay in the past but there can be a limited delay at that stage. I am aware of the needs of the school in question, it is a rather disastrous situation and I accept that the tender should go ahead without any delay.