Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 20 Mar 2002

Vol. 550 No. 4

Written Answers. - Schools Building Projects.

Andrew Boylan

Ceist:

826 Mr. Boylan asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the serious condition of the pre-fab classroom at Lacken national school, County Cavan, and to the fact that the large panes of glass in the windows are in danger of falling out causing serious injury to the children; and if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that there are large gaping holes in the sides of the pre-fab, the roof is leaking and it is unsuitable and unhealthy as a classroom. [8990/02]

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 the Government's commitment to improving the accommodation situation 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 the Government came into office, there has been a substantial increase in the number of major and minor building projects in construction. This has given rise to a record level of building and refurbishment activity.

Lacken national school is being extended and refurbished as part of the Government's programme and is currently in architectural planning. The project will continue to the preparation of tender documents and the invitation of tenders, as soon as possible, under the expanded building programme.

Andrew Boylan

Ceist:

827 Mr. Boylan asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the proposed upgraded entrance, parking facilities and boundary wall at St. Anne's national school, Bailieborough, County Cavan; if his attention has been drawn to the dangerous situation that exists at present where children are dropped off and collected on the main road giving rise to serious traffic congestion and serious hazard for the children concerned; and if his Department will give the go ahead to the proposed works. [8991/02]

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 the Government's commitment to improving the accommodation situation 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 the Government came into office, there has been a substantial increase in the number of major and minor building projects in construction. This has given rise to a record level of building and refurbishment activity.

My Department will give detailed consideration this year to an application from St. Anne's national school, Bailieborough, for improved access facilities as part of the expanded building programme. The school authorities will be informed of developments.

Jim Higgins

Ceist:

828 Mr. Higgins (Mayo) asked the Minister for Education and Science if he has met members of a primary school's management board (details supplied) in County Mayo; and his views on the approval of a new school to replace the existing substandard 100 year old building. [9011/02]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods)

Recently I met the management authorities of the school referred to by the Deputy to discuss the school's application for a new school building on a greenfield site.

My Department will give detailed consideration to the application for a new school building from the authorities of the school, as soon as possible, under the Government's expanded building programme. The school authorities will be kept informed of developments.

Jack Wall

Ceist:

829 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason a building project (details supplied) was stopped by his Department in October 2001; the position of the development; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the school involved is the only school listed as being substandard in south Kildare by the INTO; the plans his Department has to allow commencement of the development as a matter of urgency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9014/02]

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 the Government's commitment to improving the accommodation situation 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 the Government came into office, there has been a substantial increase in the number of major and minor building projects in construction. This has given rise to a record level of building and refurbishment activity.

Architectural planning for a building project at the school will continue to the preparation of tender documents and the invitation of tenders, as soon as possible, under the expanded building programme.

Jack Wall

Ceist:

830 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the fact that under the Education (Welfare) Act, 2000, a school (details supplied) in County Kildare is totally outside the recommended measurements for room size; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that there is no general purpose room, wet area, staff room or principal's office in the school; the plans and timescale his Department has to rectify the prob lems; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9015/02]

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 the Government's commitment to improving accommodation in primary schools. This is almost four times the previous Government's investment in 1997. Because 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 building projects in construction and this has given rise to a record level of building and refurbishment activity.

The school to which the Deputy refers is being extended-refurbished as part of the Government's programme and is currently in architectural planning. The project will continue to the preparation of tender documents and the invitation of tenders, as soon as possible, under the expanded building programme.

Jack Wall

Ceist:

831 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a school (details supplied) in County Kildare is using a broom cupboard as a special resources and remedial teaching facility due to the lack of proper facilities in the school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9016/02]

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 the Government's commitment to improving accommodation in primary schools. This is almost four times the previous Government's investment in 1997. Because 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 building projects in construction and this has given rise to a record level of building and refurbishment activity.

The school to which the Deputy refers is being extended/refurbished as part of the Government's programme and is currently in architectural planning. The project will continue to the preparation of tender documents and the invitation of tenders, as soon as possible, under the expanded building programme.

Jack Wall

Ceist:

832 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding an application by a school (details supplied) in County Kildare for refurbishment or extension; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9017/02]

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 the Government's commitment to improving accommodation in primary schools. This is almost four times the pre vious Government's investment in 1997. Because 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 building projects in construction and this has given rise to a record level of building and refurbishment activity.

The school to which the Deputy refers is being extended-refurbished as part of the Government's programme and is currently in architectural planning. The project will continue to the preparation of tender documents and the invitation of tenders, as soon as possible, under the expanded building programme.

Jack Wall

Ceist:

833 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding an application for an extension and refurbishment by a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9018/02]

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 the Government's commitment to improving accommodation in primary schools. This is almost four times the previous Government's investment in 1997. Because 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 building projects in construction and this has given rise to a record level of building and refurbishment activity.

The school to which the Deputy refers is being extended-refurbished as part of the Government's programme and is currently in architectural planning. The project will continue to the preparation of tender documents and the invitation of tenders, as soon as possible, under the expanded building programme.

Jack Wall

Ceist:

834 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding an application for refurbishment and extension by a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9019/02]

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 the Government's commitment to improving accommodation in primary schools. This is almost four times the previous Government's investment in 1997. Because 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 building projects in construction and this has given rise to a record level of building and refurbishment activity. A proposed building project for the school to which the Deputy refers will proceed to architectural plan ning, as soon as possible, under the expanded building programme.