Vol. 576 No. 5
237 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding Ballinagare National School, Castlerea, County Roscommon, on the school building programme; the works which have been progressed to date; when it is expected that work will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29658/03]
The proposed provision of a multi-purpose room at Ballinagare National School, County Roscommon, is currently at an advanced stage of architectural planning. I intend to publish details of the 2004 school building programme by early January at the latest. The programme will clarify what progress is planned for projects such as Ballinagare National School during 2004.
238 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding Emo National School, Emo, County Laois, on the school building programme; the works which have been progressed to date; when it is expected that work will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29659/03]
239 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will consider progressing building work at Emo National School, Emo, County Laois, under the devolved building initiative for small rural schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29660/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 238 and 239 together.
An application has been received from the management authority of Emo National School, County Laois, for the provision of a new green-field site school building. The timing of when further large-scale projects, including that at Emo, can proceed is dependent on the financial allocation for 2004 and subsequent years and the competing priorities for that funding. Given the apparent scale and nature of the project required at Emo, it does not qualify for inclusion in the devolved building initiative for small rural primary schools.
240 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the provision of a new school for Portlaoise Vocational School and Senior College, Portlaoise, County Laois; when it is expected that the project will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29661/03]
A large-scale building project for Portlaoise Vocational School is at an advanced stage of architectural planning. The timing of when the project can proceed to tender and construction is dependent on the financial allocation for 2004 and subsequent years and the competing priorities for that funding.
