Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 12 Nov 2003

Vol. 574 No. 2

Written Answers. - Schools Building Projects.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

243 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the serious lack of accommodation to meet the requirements of special needs, resource and other school classes at St. Joseph's boys' national school, Kilcock, County Kildare, and to the fact that health and safety regulations are being breached in an attempt to accommodate the classes in the current restricted accommodation; if he will provide the urgently needed funds to meet the school's requirements in the context of the Estimates for 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26772/03]

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

247 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the position in regard to the provision of the extra facilities required at Tiermohan national school, County Kildare, having particular regard to the Estimates for 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26849/03]

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

250 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the extent to which facilities at St. Mary's College, Naas, County Kildare, are adequate in terms of buildings and equipment, having particular regard to the Estimates for 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26852/03]

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

251 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science when he expects to be in a position to provide extra facilities required at St. David's school, Naas, County Kildare, having particular regard to the Estimates for 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26853/03]

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

255 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science when he expects to be in a position to provide funding to replace the roof of Scoil Mhuire, Clane, County Kildare, having particular regard to the Estimates for 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26857/03]

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

258 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science when he expects to be in a position to provide the extra facilities required at Scoil Uí Fhiach, Maynooth, County Kildare, having particular regard to the estimates for 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26860/03]

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

260 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress he has achieved in acceding to the requests of the authorities at the Salesian college, Celbridge, County Kildare, for the provision of extra facilities thereat, having particular regard to the Estimates for 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26862/03]

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

263 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science when he expects to be in a position to provide extra facilities required at Millicent school, Clane, County Kildare, having particular regard to the Estimates for 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26865/03]

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

268 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science his proposal for the provision of permanent facilities at Ardclough national school, County Kildare, having particular regard to the Estimates for 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26870/03]

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

270 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science when he proposes to address the issue of extra accommodation requirements at Scoil Clochar Naofa, Kilcock, County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26872/03]

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

271 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the serious lack of accommodation to meet the requirements of special needs, resource and other school classes at St. Joseph's boys' national school, Kilcock, County Kildare; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that health and safety regulations are being breached in an attempt to accommodate the classes in the current restricted accommodation; if he will provide the urgently needed funds to meet the school's requirements in the context of the Estimates for 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26873/03]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 243, 247, 250, 251, 255, 258, 260, 263, 268, 270 and 271 together.

Applications for grant aid towards improvement works have been received from the management authorities of the schools to which the Deputy refers. The applications are being examined at present in the school planning section of my Department and, when completed, decisions will be conveyed to the respective schools' managerial authorities.

The 2003 capital programme has been published and my Department does not intend to allow further large-scale projects into architectural planning during 2003. 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 urgent health and safety works.