Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 18 Jun 2002

Vol. 553 No. 2

Written Answers. - Schools Building Projects.

John Perry

Ceist:

362 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the totally inadequate facilities which exist in St. Mary's national school, Kilrusheighter, Templeboy, County Sligo, for an extension to the school; if he will reduce the local contribution to 5%, in view of the fact that the small number of families with children are finding it extremely difficult to raise the required 10% of the cost of the proposed extension; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13564/02]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. N. Dempsey)

My Department has instructed the Office of Public Works to invite tenders for refurbishment works at St. Mary's national school, Kilrusheighter, Templeboy, County Sligo. When these have been received and assessed, my Department will be in contact with the school authorities.

The amount of the local contribution for school extensions was reduced in 1999 from 15% to 10% and, in addition, the contribution was capped at €31,500. These arrangements are of a general application and it would not be appropriate to depart from them in individual cases.

Phil Hogan

Ceist:

363 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Education and Science if finance has been approved for the extension of Creenkill national school in Gathabawn, County Kilkenny; if so, when work will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13565/02]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. N. Dempsey)

Architectural planning for a building project at Creenkill national school is at an early stage. Decisions on projects proceeding to tender and construction are taken in the light of the annual allocation for primary school buildings, the financial commitments to be met and the priority to be afforded to individual projects. An extensive building programme for 2002 has been approved and published. It is not envisaged that the proposed building project at Creenkill national school will proceed to construction in 2002.

Later this year when a financial allocation has been made for the primary school building programme in the 2003 Estimates I will be framing a further comprehensive programme of works that will proceed to construction and the school concerned will be one of those considered for inclusion in that programme.

It is my intention to bring greater transparency to the operation of the school building programme and I intend to publish the programme annually I am also anxious to build a multi-annual dimension into the published programme so that schools will have an indication of the expected timelines relating to their project.