Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 27 Feb 2003

Vol. 562 No. 3

Written Answers - Schools Building Projects.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

68 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science this plans to address the issue of first or second level schools which are deficient in structure, accommodation or other vital facilities, particularly where such deficiencies are in breach of health and safety regulations; if his attention has been drawn to the concern expressed by teacher and parent organisations; if he will undertake a review of such schools with the objective of attending to vital and necessary works immediately; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5899/03]

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

The 2003 capital programme has been published and full details in relation to individual projects are available on my Department's website, www.education.ie. The Deputy will appreciate that the primary responsibility for the health and safety of pupils and teachers rests with the managing authority of each school. The onus is on boards of management in primary schools to use the annual minor works grants they receive from my Department to ensure that urgent health and safety issues are satisfactorily addressed. Section 11 of the capital programme also refers to smaller scale primary and post-primary projects that address services, fire officer and insurers' requirements, access for all, curricular and structural requirements with an estimated expenditure in the current year of €21.8 million. The timing as to when additional projects, other than those listed in section 11 can progress to tender and completion is dependent on the funding allocation in 2004 and subsequent years.