Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 November 2004
498 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will sanction temporary accommodation for a school (details supplied) in County Kildare in 2004, in view of its urgent requirement to facilitate resource teaching and the delays which the project will experience by its inclusion in the commission on school accommodation study; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29284/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn application for temporary accommodation for the 2004-05 school year was received from the school authority to which the Deputy refers. All applications for temporary accommodation were considered by the school planning section of my Department in the context of the available funding for 2004 and the number of applications for that funding. Unfortunately, it was not possible to approve all applications received and only those with an absolute and demonstrated need for additional accommodation were approved.
The school's application is, however, now being considered as part of a review of all projects which did not proceed to construction as part of the 2004 school building programme. Under this review, all projects are being assessed against the published prioritisation criteria which were revised earlier this year following consultation with the education partners. Each project will be assigned a band rating and the progress of all projects will be considered in the context of the school building programme from 2005 onwards.
Applications for capital funding from schools in the N4-M4 draft area development plan will continue to be processed under the review mentioned above. When the commission on school accommodation's report in this matter becomes available, the appropriate adjustments will be made where necessary.
