Vol. 571 No. 4
275 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding an extension to a primary school (details supplied) in County Mayo; when this school first applied for an extension; and the detailed breakdown of all stages of this request to date. [22026/03]
An application for grant-aid towards improvement works has been received from the management authorities of the school referred to by the Deputy. This application was submitted on 11th January 2000 and is being considered, along with all other applications for capital works, in the context of the 2004 school building programme.
The timing of when individual projects can progress to architectural planning will depend on the budgetary provision for 2004 and subsequent years, the rate of progress with existing projects in architectural planning and the priority afforded to each project by reference to the published criteria for prioritising large-scale building projects. In the meantime, individual schools should, as appropriate, use their devolved grant to deal with any urgent health and safety works.
276 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science when funding will be sanctioned for the provision of a new building for a school (details supplied) in County Mayo; when this school originally applied for this; the detailed breakdown of all stages of this request to date; when the existing building was built; the number of children which the existing building can accommodate safely; the number of children who are currently on the roll of this primary school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22027/03]
The large-scale building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is listed in section 7 of the 2003 school building programme which is published on my Department's website at www.education.ie. This project is at stage 3 of architectural planning which is developed sketch scheme. It has been assigned a band 2 rating by my Department in accordance with the published criteria for prioritising large-scale projects.
Projects listed in section 7 will not be authorised to progress beyond their current stage of architectural planning at this time.
Budgetary provisions in 2004 and subsequent years will determine the rate of progression to tender and construction of these projects in conjunction with the band rating individually assigned. In the meantime, it is a matter for the management authorities of individual schools to deal with any urgent health and safety works.
277 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science the position in relation to a new school for a Gaelscoil (details supplied) in County Mayo; when this school first applied for a new premises; and the detailed breakdown of all stages of this request to date. [22028/03]
This application for the provision of permanent accommodation was submitted on 7 March 2000.
The property management section of the Office of Public Works is acting on behalf of my Department in relation to site acquisitions generally and is currently exploring the possibility of acquiring a site for the school referred to by the Deputy.
The school authorities will be notified of developments as they occur.
