Schools Building Projects.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 2 November 2005

Wednesday, 2 November 2005

Ceisteanna (462)

Jerry Cowley

Ceist:

547 Dr. Cowley asked the Minister for Education and Science if a guarantee will be given regarding the site acquisition for a school (details supplied) in County Mayo; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the request for a permanent school building is not new; if her attention has further been drawn to the fact that this school will be homeless from June 2006 unless a permanent site and building are acquired; if this project will be included in the 2005-2006 capital programme due to the imminent deadline for vacation of the present site and the need for teachers and pupils to be relocated to a new school site or building; the measures which have been taken by her Department in relation to this project; the progress being made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31736/05]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Science (Ms Hanafin)

I assure the Deputy that my Department is well aware of the urgent need for an accommodation solution for this school particularly given the limitations on the existing arrangement. The property management section of the Office of Public Works, which acts on behalf of my Department with regard to site acquisitions generally has identified a suitable site for the school referred to by the Deputy and the process of acquisition has been initiated. Due to commercial sensitivities I am unable to comment further on the specific site acquisition.

Once the site acquisition is finalised, the building project required to provide a permanent building for the school will be progressed in the context of the 2005-09 school buildings and modernisation programme. As the board and patron are already aware, the provision of interim accommodation remains the responsibility of the board until such time as my Department is in a position to provide a permanent solution.