Vol. 556 No. 4
146 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Education and Science the result of the feasibility study carried out in 2002 for a school (details supplied) in Dublin 18; if and when the building programme will proceed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20718/02]
My Department has an extensive primary school building programme under way at present, details of which are available on my Department's website at www.education.ie.
In view of the extensive nature of the programme, my Department has no plans at present to start architectural planning for further major primary school building projects. My Department will be reviewing the position in the light of the allocation to be made for the primary building programme in the 2003 Estimates.
In the meantime, the board of management of the school referred to by the Deputy should ensure that essential health and safety issues at the school are attended to. They should therefore continue to use the devolved grant for minor works and if the cost of any works of an emergency nature exceeds the amount available under the devolved grant, they may apply to my Department's building unit for grant aid.
147 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will sanction the required capital expenditure to allow the extension to Scoil na Mainistreach, Celbridge, County Kildare, to proceed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20719/02]
The most up to date position on all major building projects is available on my Department's website at www.education.ie. When the situation changes the website will be updated. The building project at Scoil na Mainistreach, Celbridge, County Kildare is at an advanced stage of architectural planning.
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.
148 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science if he has issued approval for schools (details supplied) in Dublin 24 to proceed to the invitation of tenders stage; the likely date when his Department will sanction funding for this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20720/02]
Architectural planning for a building project and refurbishment works at the schools referred to by the Deputy is at an advanced stage.
149 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of building or refurbishment projects from primary schools which are awaiting permission from his Department to proceed to the invitation of tender stage under the primary building programme; the number of schools which were granted approval to proceed to construction in 2002; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20721/02]
151 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the projected expenditure for all the school building projects which are with his Department and are at the invitation of tender stage; the sum involved as against the allocation for the primary building programme in 2002; the sum sought by his Department in this area for expenditure for 2003; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20723/02]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 149 and 151 together.
My Department has 400 major primary school building projects in architectural planning, details of which are on my Department's website at www.education.ie . Approximately one quarter of these projects are at an advanced stage of architectural planning.
My Department has approved in excess of 50 major primary building projects to proceed to construction in 2002. In addition, more than 3,000 capital grants for primary schools have been sanctioned to date this year. Many of these grants were approved for minor construction works to school buildings. A devolved grant is also paid to all primary schools on an annual basis at the rate of €3,809 per school plus €12.70 per pupil to enable school authorities to undertake minor improvement works at a local level. The allocation for primary school buildings in 2002 is €172.6 million. Following the completion of the Estimates process, I intend to frame a further programme and details will be published on my Department's website as early as possible in 2003.
150 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of primary school building projects with his Department where an asbestos roof is in place and needs to be refurbished as a matter of priority compared to the number of schools where this does not apply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20722/02]
A nationwide survey of primary and post-primary schools is being carried out by the Office of Public Works to establish the position relating to asbestos in school buildings.
Where asbestos requiring removal is detected, either as a result of the survey or otherwise, arrangements to undertake the work in accordance with the relevant health and safety legislation are made by my Department and the Office of Public Works. The entire cost of the programme of detection and removal is being borne by my Department. The necessary level of funding will continue to be allocated to the programme as a priority.
Question No. 151 answered with Question No. 149.
