Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 20 Mar 2002

Vol. 550 No. 4

Written Answers. - Schools Building Projects.

John McGuinness

Ceist:

711 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Science if a new gymnasium will be provided for the Presentation secondary school, Loughboy, County Kilkenny; the stage the application is at; when a decision is likely in this regard; if the present structure will be repaired and maintained; if the windows will be replaced; his intentions and the time frame involved in this regard; if the surface of the basketball and tennis courts will be replaced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8517/02]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods)

An application by the authorities of the Presentation secondary school, Loughboy, County Kilkenny, for grant aid to develop facilities at the school is being examined in the planning section of my Department at present. As part of this process, all factors, including enrolment and demographic trends in the area, will be taken into consideration. A decision on the matter will be notified to the school authorities as soon as possible.

Olivia Mitchell

Ceist:

712 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Education and Science if funding can be guaranteed in 2002 for the replacement roof required at St. Peter's special school, Orwell Road, Dublin 6. [8518/02]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods)

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.

Due to 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.

A proposed building project for St. Peter's special school, Orwell Road, Dublin 6 will proceed to architectural planning, as soon as possible, under the expanded building programme.

John Bruton

Ceist:

713 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science when he will consider providing a second level school in Ratoath, County Meath; the stage the development is at; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8528/02]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods): The Deputy will be aware that last year I announced the provision of a new second level school on a greenfield site in Ratoath, County Meath. The school will be a community college under the aegis of County Meath VEC.

A number of steps have since been taken to progress the development of the facility, including the determination of a catchment area and a long-term projected enrolment. It had been proposed initially that provision should be made in the new school for 700 pupils. This figure is currently being reviewed, however, in the light of a proposal from County Meath VEC that provision should also be made for the possible demand for second level schooling through Irish, given the existence of three gaelscoileanna in the general area. A decision in this regard will be made as soon as the necessary consultation process with all relevant interests is completed.

Also, County Meath VEC is in the process of identifying potential sites for the new school. When a suitable site is acquired, architectural planning will begin.