Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 9 Oct 2002

Vol. 554 No. 5

Written Answers. - Schools Building Projects.

Emmet Stagg

Ceist:

772 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Science if his Department received a request for funding from Kildare County Council for the provision of an access road and parking bays to the site at the North Kildare national school project, Celbridge, County Kildare, which is under construction and for other safety regulation works at the entrance to St. Wolstan's School, Celbridge, County Kildare; if he will sanction the provision of this funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17433/02]

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

My Department's building unit informed Kildare County Council in June 2002 that a financial contribution would be made toward the cost of a road and associated works to provide access to the North Kildare national school project, Ballymakealy, Celbridge, County Kildare. This offer was, however, conditional on a detailed description of the works and a breakdown of the cost being supplied by the county council to enable the matter to be fully considered. When the necessary details have been received the matter will receive further attention.

John McGuinness

Ceist:

773 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Science the status of an application from Creenkill national school, Gathabawn, County Kilkenny, for an extension to the school; the stage the project is at; and when a final decision relating to funding is likely. [17434/02]

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. My Department has an extensive primary school building programme for 2002 under way at present, details of which are available on my Department's website at www.education.ie. 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. My Department will be in contact with the schools concerned when the programme for 2003 is published.

Question No. 774 answered with Question No. 555.

Question No. 775 answered with Question No. 756.

Question No. 776 answered with Question No. 762.

Question No. 777 answered with Question No. 555.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

778 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the position in respect of the promised extra facilities at Scoil Mhuire, Clane, County Kildare; the degree to which this project has progressed through various developmental stages in the past 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17469/02]

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

My Department does not have any immediate plans to provide additional classroom accommodation at Scoil Mhuire, Clane, County Kildare.

There is however an application for additional car parking spaces and this is being considered within my Department at present. Officials of my Department's post-primary building unit recently visited the school with a view to finalising the snag list on the completed PE hall and extension project. The principal indicated that she would be seeking additional refurbishment works in the near future. The matter will be considered further in light of any application submitted, priorities presenting and available finances in 2003.

Question No. 779 answered with Question No. 555.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

780 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the provision of extra facilities required at Scoil Iognáid Rís, Naas, County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17471/02]

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

The stage 2 – outline sketch scheme – has been examined within my Department's post-primary building unit. It was necessary to seek clarification on a number of items from the school's design team regarding this submission. A response has been received and is currently being considered. On completion of this examination and subject to all being satisfactory, the question of allowing the project to proceed to stage 3 – developed sketch scheme – will be considered.

Question No. 781 answered with Question No. 555.