Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 26 Jun 2002

Vol. 553 No. 6

Written Answers. - Schools Building Projects.

Trevor Sargent

Ceist:

157 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will report on the progress being made to provide sufficient permanent accommodation for the growing needs of St. Oliver Plunkett national school, Malahide, County Dublin; and the time frame for this work. [14877/02]

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

Architectural planning for a building project at St. Oliver Plunkett national school, Malahide, Roll Number 17914S, 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 already been approved and published. It is not envisaged that the proposed building project at St. Oliver Plunkett 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 frame 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 time lines relating to their project.

Trevor Sargent

Ceist:

158 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will report on the progress being made to construct a permanent school to replace the dilapidated and dangerous building used by Malahide community school, Scoil Íosa, Malahide, County Dublin. [14878/02]

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

In relation to the progress being made to construct a new school at Scoil Iosa, Malahide, County Dublin my Department has recently requested the design team to prepare a draft stage 2 – outline sketch scheme.

Trevor Sargent

Ceist:

159 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will report on the need for a new school building for St. George's national school, Balbriggan, County Dublin. [14879/02]

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

An application for capital funding from St. George's is under consideration in my Department. Officials of my Department's planning section are in contact with the school authorities, regarding how best to provide for the school's long-term accommodation needs. A decision on how best to meet the school's accommodation needs will be made as soon as possible.

Question No. 160 answered with Question No. 143.