Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 February 2004
288 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Education and Science the position in relation to an application for assistance from a school (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5779/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn application for an extension and refurbishment has been received from the school to which the Deputy refers. When publishing the 2004 school building programme, I outlined that my strategy going forward will be grounded in capital investment based on multi-annual allocations. My officials are reviewing all projects which were not authorised to proceed to construction as part of the 2004 school building programme, with a view to including them as part of a multi-annual school building programme from 2005 and I expect to be in a position to make further announcements on this matter in the course of the year.
The project from the school to which the Deputy refers will be considered in this regard.
289 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding an application by a board of management in relation to facilities at their school (details supplied) in County Kildare [5780/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraA large scale building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is listed in section 9 of the 2004 school building programme which is published on my Department's website at www.education.ie. This project is at early stages of architectural planning. It has been assigned a band 4 rating by my Department in accordance with the published criteria for prioritising large-scale projects.
The budget announcement regarding multi-annual capital envelopes will enable me to adopt a multi-annual framework for the school building programme, which in turn will give greater clarity regarding projects that are not progressing in this year's programme. I will make a further announcement in that regard during the year.
290 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding an application by a board of management for the provision of a new school (details supplied) in County Kildare; and the status of the application [5781/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe property management section of the OPW is acting on behalf of my Department in relation to site acquisitions generally and is currently exploring the possibility of acquiring a site extension for Scoil Bhríde, Nurney, County Kildare. The school authorities will be kept informed of developments.
291 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science the average length of time that a school takes to pass through the architectural planning stage using the most recent years figures available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5782/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraEach individual school design will vary due to the specific site, the educational brief and the ethos of the school. The design team's primary requirement will be to provide a school that encompasses the quality and character of an environment appropriate to the educational aims of the school. The building must be designed as suitable premises for intellectual, creative, physical and social activity.
At each stage of architectural planning, the function of the design team should be integrated, combining architectural planning and design, structure, building services, engineering and cost efficiency to create a well-designed, cost-effective, durable, low-maintenance building. The design must also ensure the possibility for repairs or replacement components of the building such as fittings, finishes and services with minimum disruption and cost as necessary.
The Deputy will therefore appreciate that it is not possible to provide a timescale for the progression of individual schools building projects through the architectural planning stages.
292 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science the average length of time it takes for a school to progress from architectural planning to tender stage using the most recent figures available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5783/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraEach individual school design will vary due to the specific site, the educational brief and the ethos of the school. The design team's primary requirement will be to provide a school that encompasses the quality and character of an environment appropriate to the educational aims of the school. The building must be designed as suitable premises for intellectual, creative, physical and social activity.
At each stage of architectural planning, the function of the design team should be integrated, combining architectural planning and design, structure, building services, engineering and cost efficiency to create a well designed, cost effective, durable, low maintenance building. The design must also ensure the possibility for repairs or replacement components of the building such as fittings, finishes and services with minimum disruption and cost as necessary.
The Deputy will therefore appreciate that it is not possible to provide a timescale for the progression of individual schools building projects through the architectural planning stages.
