Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 9 Oct 2002

Vol. 554 No. 5

Written Answers. - Schools Refurbishment.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

786 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the position on foot of recent correspondence from or discussions with the local school authorities at Presentation Convent school, Maynooth, County Kildare, with reference to extra facilities, psychological services or other needs; if he will be in a position to respond favourably in the near future with particular reference to meeting all deadlines in time for the next school year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17477/02]

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

Architectural planning for a building project at Presentation Convent 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 Presentation Convent 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. My Department will be in contact with the schools concerned when the programme for 2003 is published.