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Schools Building Projects.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 3 March 2005

Thursday, 3 March 2005

Ceisteanna (195, 196, 197, 198)

Emmet Stagg

Ceist:

195 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will sanction the invitation of tenders for the required extension to a school (details supplied) in County Kildare in 2005; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7358/05]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is at an early stage of architectural planning.

I recently announced details of 122 major schools building projects that will progress to tender and construction phase over the next 12 to 15 months under the €3.4 billion multi-annual funding secured for the years 2005-09. I also announced the next phase of the programme under which 192 schools will be allocated funding to undertake projects, such as extensions and refurbishments. These projects will proceed immediately, on a devolved basis, which means that the school authorities will control the planning and construction phases of the improvement works at their own schools.

I am anxious to ensure that a consistent flow of projects to tender and construction can be sustained into the future. I plan to make a number of announcements in the near future in respect of the school building and modernisation programme, including details of those school projects which will further progress through the design process. All projects in architectural planning, including the school in question, will be considered as part of this process.

Emmet Stagg

Ceist:

196 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will sanction the invitation of tenders for the required extension to a school (details supplied) in County Kildare in 2005; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7359/05]

Amharc ar fhreagra

My Department is moving towards a model of devolving the responsibility of building projects to school management authorities where appropriate. The devolving of funding to local level will accommodate school authorities to have responsibility and ownership of their building projects and assist in moving projects in a specific timeframe through the design process, to tender action and construction.

I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the school in question has been included for additional accommodation under the devolved permanent initiative 2005 which I announced last week.

Emmet Stagg

Ceist:

197 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will sanction the invitation of tenders for the required renovations to a school (details supplied) in County Kildare in 2005; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7360/05]

Amharc ar fhreagra

The project at the school to which the Deputy refers has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria, which were revised following consultation with the education partners. In this regard, the Deputy may be aware that I recently announced the first phase of the 2005 school building programme which provided details of 122 major school building projects countrywide that will prepare tenders and move to construction during 2005. In addition, I have further approved the next phase of the programme under which 192 schools will be allocated funding to undertake projects, such as extensions and refurbishments. These projects will proceed immediately on a devolved basis.

Further phases of the school building and modernisation programme are nearing finalisation and I will be making announcements on these in the coming weeks to include: expansion of the number of schools and extension of the scope of the projects approved under the summer works scheme; schools that will be authorised to commence architectural planning; schools whose projects will further progress through the design process; and details of schools identified as suitable for construction under public private partnerships.

Emmet Stagg

Ceist:

198 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will sanction the invitation of tenders for the required 17 additional classrooms for a school (details supplied) in County Kildare in 2005; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7361/05]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Phase 2 of the extension project at the school to which the Deputy refers has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria, which were revised following consultation with the education partners. Progress on this project is being considered in the context of the school building programme. In this regard, the Deputy may be aware that I recently announced the first phase of the 2005 school building programme which provided details of 122 major school building projects countrywide that will prepare tenders and move to construction during 2005. In addition, I have further approved the next phase of the programme under which 192 schools will be allocated funding to undertake projects, such as extensions and refurbishments. These projects will proceed immediately on a devolved basis.

Further phases of the school building and modernisation programme are nearing finalisation and I will be making announcements on these in the coming weeks to include: expansion of the number of schools and extension of the scope of the projects approved under the summer works scheme: schools that will be authorised to commence architectural planning; schools whose projects will further progress through the design process; and details of schools identified as suitable for construction under public private partnerships.

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