James Breen
Ceist:278 Mr. J. Breen asked the Minister for Education and Science, further to parliamentary Question No. 210 of 25 November 2003, if he will reply to the question put to him about County Clare. [30026/03]
Written Answers. - Schools Building Projects.
The fairest way to deal with all schools is to have an open and transparent system for deciding priorities. I have published criteria used by my Department for determining priorities. In light of that approach, it would be unfair to all schools for me to become involved in discussions on individual projects.
Fergus O'Dowd
Ceist:279 Mr. O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education and Science if Fatima national school, Dublin Road, Drogheda, County Louth, will now be included in the list of new schools to be built in 2004. [30043/03]
The school planning section of my Department is currently framing the capital programme for 2004. In the interest of fairness to all schools, I am not in a position to give details on individual projects until the programme is finalised and published. The Deputy can be assured, however, that every consideration will be given to the proposed works at the Fatima national school in the context of available funding for 2004 and the competing priorities for that funding.
Olwyn Enright
Ceist:280 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science the position on the use of public private partnerships for primary and post-primary school building projects; if the disagreement with EUROSTAT has been resolved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30044/03]
Under present EU rules, where projects are financed on a deferred payment basis by the private sector, such as public private partnerships, the capital value of such projects is a charge on the general government balance, GGB, over the construction phase. The GGB is the critical measure of what can be accommodated within our obligations under the Stability and Growth Pact of the Maastricht Treaty. A EUROSTAT group is currently reviewing the accounting rules on this issue and a final report on the matter has not yet been issued.
Consideration of any new PPP projects will also be based on an evaluation of the completed pilot post-primary PPP schools project, together with a thorough assessment of affordability of the project in the context of the competing demands on the capital funding envelopes and taking into account the issues surrounding the general government balance. EUROSTAT is currently examining the implication of PPPs on the general government balance.
My Department is actively considering the use of PPPs in the procurement of both primary and post-primary school accommodation. The decision on how this will proceed will depend to an extent on the final outcome of the EUROSTAT deliberations.
Olwyn Enright
Ceist:281 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the building programme of a school (details supplied) in County Donegal; if his attention has been drawn to the situation in the school at present; if it will be prioritised under the school building programme in 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30051/03]
The proposed 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 proposed project is at stage 3 – detailed plans/costs received – of architectural planning. It has been assigned a band 2 rating by my Department in accordance with the published criteria for prioritising large scale projects.
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 proposed for the school in question, during 2004.
Olwyn Enright
Ceist:282 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the building programme of a school (details supplied) in County Donegal; if his attention has been drawn to the situation in the school at present; if it will be prioritised under the school building programme in 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30052/03]
The school referred to by the Deputy has applied for the provision of additional accommodation, upgrade of existing mechanical and electrical services and refurbishment of the existing school building. My Department has already accepted that there is a need to provide additional accommodation for students of the school in question. A proposed building project for the school is at stage 4/5 of architectural planning – pre-tender documents.
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 proposed for the school in question, during 2004.
Olwyn Enright
Ceist:283 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the building programme of a school (details supplied) in County Donegal; if his attention has been drawn to the situation in the school at present; if it will be prioritised under the school building programme in 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30053/03]
My Department is in receipt of a report from the property management section of the Office of Public Works in regard to the possible acquisition of a site for a proposed new school building in the area referred to by the Deputy.
However, before committing major capital funding to any project my Department must be satisfied, having regard to all relevant factors, including enrolment and demographic trends, that the school in question has a viable future, thereby ensuring value for money. When these issues have been fully investigated by my Department, a decision will be made on how best to provide for the school's long-term accommodation needs. My Department officials will be in contact with the school authorities in this regard shortly.