Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 12 Nov 2002

Vol. 557 No. 1

Written Answers. - Schools Refurbishment.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

Ceist:

286 Mr. Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Education and Science when he will approve plans for the refurbishment of Scoil Mhicil Naofa national school, Athy, County Kildare currently with his Department; and when approval will issue for works necessary to enable full access within the school for a student with disabilities. [21458/02]

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

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.

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 at the completion of the 2003 estimates process.

In the meantime, the board of management of Scoil Mhicil Naofa national school, Athy 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 supplementary grant-aid.

I should also add that my Department's planning section is currently examining the issue of primary provision in the town of Athy. To this end, letters have issued recently seeking the views of the boards of management of primary schools in Athy, including Scoil Mhicil Naofa national school, on this issue.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

Ceist:

287 Mr. Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Education and Science when works to refurbish and extend Ballyshannon national school, County Kildare, will commence. [21459/02]

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

Architectural planning for a building project at Ballyshannon national school, 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.

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.

Later this year when a financial allocation has been made for the primary school building programme in the 2003 budget I will be framing a further 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.

Marian Harkin

Ceist:

288 Ms Harkin asked the Minister for Education and Science when his Department proposes to complete refurbishment at Ransboro national school, Knocknahur, County Sligo. [21460/02]

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

My Department approved the placement of a contract for major refurbishment works at Ransboro national school, County Sligo in 2001.

An application for any additional works to the school will be considered in the light of the annual allocation for primary school buildings in the 2003 estimates, taking into account the contractual commitments on projects approved and the priority to be afforded to individual projects.