Vol. 553 No. 2
404 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress regarding the extra facilities at Scoil An Linbh Íosa, Prosperous, County Kildare; when it is expected that the required facilities will be commissioned or available for occupation; when the various preparatory stages are likely to be concluded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13882/02]
Architectural planning for a building project at Scoil an Linbh Íosa, Prosperous, County Kildare, is at an advanced 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 already been approved and published. It is not envisaged that the proposed building project at Scoil An Linbh Íosa, Prosperous, County Kildare, 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 projects.
405 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science when the proposed walkway at Confey college, Leixlip, County Kildare, will be provided having regard to the preparations already in hand; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13883/02]
In October 2001, funding for the provision of a covered walkway at Confey community college, Leixlip, County Kildare, was approved based on information and costings supplied by County Kildare Vocational Education Committee.
406 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the provision of new school facilities required at Kill, County Kildare; the extent to which negotiations have concluded in regard to such matters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13884/02]
The property management section of the Office of Public Works has been requested by my Department to report on the possibility of acquiring a site for a school at Kill. As soon as a report is received the matter will be given further consideration.
407 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the provision of extra facilities required at Tiermohan national school, Tiermohan, County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13885/02]
My Department has an extensive primary school building programme under way at present and this includes a large number of projects at various stages of architectural planning.
Decisions on additional projects proceeding to architectural planning are taken in the light of the annual allocation for capital projects, the financial commitments to be met and the priority to be afforded to individual projects. The programme for 2002 is in place and the schools concerned have been notified.
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 and this will involve putting more projects into architectural planning. The needs of Tiermohan national school will be considered at that time.
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 projects.
Question No. 408 answered with Question No. 252.
409 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the position in regard to the provision of extra facilities at Presentation Convent primary school, Maynooth, County Kildare; the various developmental stages so far processed in this case; the remaining stages still to be pursued; the likely time scale involved; if the necessary resources are readily available to facilitate the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13887/02]
Architectural planning for a building project at Presentation Convent primary school, Maynooth, County Kildare, is at an advanced 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 already been approved and published. It is not envisaged that the proposed building project at Presentation Convent primary school, Maynooth, 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 projects.
410 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the position in regard to the provision of extra facilities at Scoil Uí Riada, Kilcock, County Kildare; the various developmental stages so far processed in this case; the remaining stages still to be pursued; the likely time scale involved; if the necessary resources are readily available to facilitate the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13888/02]
Architectural planning for a building project at Scoil Uí Riada, Kilcock, County Kildare, is at an advanced 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 already been approved and published. It is not envisaged that the proposed building project at Scoil Uí Riada, Kilcock, 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.
411 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the extent of the extra facilities currently required at Salesian College, Celbridge, County Kildare; when it is expected the project can proceed; if the necessary funds are available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13889/02]
My Department has an extensive schools building programme under way at present. The programme includes a very substantial programme of works scheduled to go to site in the course of the year as well as a large number of projects at various stages of planning.
Decisions relating to additional projects proceeding to planning are taken having regard to the annual allocation for capital projects, existing commitments and priority afforded to each individual project. It is not envisaged at this stage that planning for a building project at Salesian College, Celbridge, will be initiated prior to the publication of the Estimates later this year. When the financial allocation has been made for the second level schools building programme for 2003, this school's application will be reviewed and officials of my Department will be in direct contact with the school's management authority.
412 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science when the permanent facilities required at Scoil Uí Fhiach, Maynooth, County Kildare, are likely to be delivered; if the necessary funding is readily available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13890/02]
My Department has recently grant-aided the provision of temporary accommodation for Scoil Uí Fhiach, Maynooth.
Decisions in relation to the timing of the commencement of architectural planning for the permanent accommodation will be taken in the light of the annual allocation for capital projects, the financial commitments to be met and the priority to be afforded to individual projects. The programme for 2002 is in place and the schools concerned have been notified.
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 and this will involve putting more projects into architectural planning. The needs of Scoil Uí Fhiach will be considered at that time.
414 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the position in regard to the provision of future facilities for St. Patrick's college, Naas, County Kildare; the extent to which agreement has been reached in regard to site acquisition and location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13892/02]
A proposal submitted by County Kildare VEC to relocate St. Patrick's community college to a new site and dispose of the site of the existing school is currently being considered within my Department. A letter has issued to County Kildare VEC requesting clarification on a number of issues in connection with the proposal to which a response is awaited.
415 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the extent to which extra facilities are required at St. Mary's College, Naas, County Kildare; if he had in mind proposals to respond positively in the near future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13893/02]
An extension project has recently been completed at St. Mary's College, Naas, County Kildare, which caters for an enrolment of 800 pupils. The school authorities have submitted an application for further additional accommodation. My Department's planning section has recently provided a long-term enrolment figure of 900 pupils with which the trustees of the school agree.
My Department has an extensive schools building programme under way at present. The programme includes a very substantial programme of works scheduled to go to site in the course of the year as well as a large number of projects at various stages of planning.
Decisions relating to additional projects proceeding to planning are taken having regard to the annual allocation for capital projects, existing commitments and priority afforded to each individual project. It is not envisaged at this stage that planning for a building project at St. Mary's College, Naas, will be initiated prior to the publication of the Estimates later this year. When the financial allocation has been made for the second level schools' building programme for 2003, this school's application will be reviewed and officials of my Department will be in direct contact with the school's management authority.
416 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science if his Department has approved the building project at Gaelscoil an Mhuilinn, County Westmeath, for procedure to tender stage; the date of such approval; if the tender documents have been approved by his Department; the date of this approval; and the projected timescale for the completion of this project. [13909/02]
424 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science if his Department has approved that the building project at Gaelscoil an Mhuilinn, County Westmeath should proceed to tender stage; the date of such approval; if the tender documents have been approved by his Department; the date of this approval; and the projected timescale for the completion of this project. [13921/02]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 416 and 424 together.
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that tenders have been invited for the provision of a new eight-classroom school for Gaelscoil an Mhuilinn, Mullingar, County Westmeath.
