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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 20 Mar 2002

Vol. 550 No. 4

Written Answers. - School Accommodation.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

883 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of primary schools in County Kildare which are deemed by the INTO as being deficient in regard to public health and safety standards, the adequacy of school buildings, play or recreational facilities or other requirements as set out in the course of review carried out by the INTO; his plans to meet such requirements and standards in the near future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9284/02]

My Department's records indicate from the most recent correspondence received from the INTO that four schools in County Kildare were considered by that organisation as having substandard accommodation. My records also show that, since 1996, over 165 schools nationally have been listed by the INTO. Many of these schools have received substantial grant-aid from my Department and a number are currently in architectural planning.

The criteria used in determining which schools are listed by the INTO are unclear and seem to have been applied in an arbitrary fashion. It is not clear, from the information supplied by the INTO, who compiles the reports and the level of technical input, if any, involved in the assessments. All of these cases are being considered by my Department and work on some is either completed or under way. The primary school building programme is based on the prioritising of needs on a fair and rational basis. My Department must respond to the need for schools in rapidly developing areas, to the particular needs of schools in areas of social disadvantage, to the accommodation needs of schools catering for children with special needs and to the need for building works to facilitate development through amalgamation.

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