Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 13 Nov 2003

Vol. 574 No. 3

Written Answers. - School Accommodation.

Noel Grealish

Ceist:

157 Mr. Grealish asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason scoil náisiúnta Tuairiní, Moycullen, County Galway has not been included in his Department's school building programme 2003 in view of a report submitted by a senior architect in his Department in July 1998 stating that the existing building which is over 100 years old is not capable of being modernised to current standards and the restricted site is not capable of being developed or extended; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26897/03]

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

The board of management of scoil náisiúnta Tuairiní, Moycullen, County Galway applied for an extension to the school premises in 1997. Following an assessment of the application it was agreed that appropriate accommodation would be provided for a three-classroom school.

On foot of the report to which the Deputy refers, arrangements were put in train for the acquisition of a greenfield site to facilitate the provision of a new school building. However, in September 2002 the board of management was notified that due to the adverse financial situation a decision had been taken not to proceed with the acquisition of a site. Accordingly, the school was not included in the 2003 capital programme.

In order to alleviate the school's temporary accommodation problems which have arisen as a result of the appointment of an additional teacher from September 2003, my Department sanctioned grant aid towards the purchase of a temporary classroom in May of this year.

The school's permanent accommodation needs will be considered in the context of the 2004 capital programme.