Vol. 577 No. 4
172 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science the position in relation to Feakle national school, County Clare; the stage the application is at; when it is expected that it will be progressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31478/03]
An application for an extension at Feakle national school, County Clare, has been received in the school planning section of my Department. 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.
173 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science the position in relation to Ennis national school, County Clare; the stage the application is at; when it is expected that it will be progressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31479/03]
An application has been received in my Department for building works at Ennis national school. The project is currently pre-architectural planning. The timing of when the proposed building project for Ennis national school may progress to architectural planning is dependent on the financial allocation for 2004 and subsequent years, the rate of progress of existing projects in architectural planning and the priority afforded to each project by reference to the published criteria for prioritising large-scale building projects.
As an interim measure, significant grant aid has been provided to alleviate accommodation difficulties at Ennis national school. In 2001 grant aid was provided for air conditioning in a computer room and for the purchase of eight temporary classrooms and in June 2002 my Department authorised grant-aid of over €200,000 to fund health and safety works.
174 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science the position in relation to Christian Brothers primary school, County Clare; the stage the application is at; when it is expected that it will be progressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31480/03]
I take it that the Deputy is referring to Ennis CBS national school. In this regard an application for improved accommodation has been received from the school authorities of Ennis CBS. The project is currently at the pre-architectural planning stage. The timing of when the proposed building project for Ennis national school may progress to architectural planning is dependent on the financial allocation for 2004 and subsequent years, the rate of progress of existing projects in architectural planning and the priority afforded to each project by reference to the published criteria for prioritising large-scale building projects.
