Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 26 January 2006
168 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Science the status of an application for a sports hall and extension to the staff room at a school (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; and when a decision will be made in the case. [2653/06]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe school planning section of my Department is in receipt of an application for major capital works from the management authority of the school to which the Deputy refers. The application has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria for large scale projects and progress on the proposed works is being considered in the context of the school building and modernisation programme from 2006 onwards.
169 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Science is funding will be approved for an application submitted to her Department (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2673/06]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe school referred to by the Deputy has made applications for funding under the additional accommodation scheme and summer works scheme 2006. All applications under these schemes are considered in the school planning section of my Department and the list of successful applicants under each of the schemes will be published shortly.
170 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 1177 of 28 September 2005 if the ongoing delay in progressing a project in County Leitrim will be reviewed; if the project will be expedited; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2675/06]
Amharc ar fhreagraContracts for the transfer of the site for the school in question have been signed. In order for this transaction to formally close, the agreement of the Commissioners of Charitable Donations and Bequests is required. It is the responsibility of the vendor to refer the transfer contracts to the commissioners. Accordingly, confirmation from the vendor's solicitor of the agreement of the commissioners is now awaited. The question of the project proceeding to construction will be considered further when the site transfer closes.
171 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Science if funding will be approved under the additional accommodation scheme for a school (details supplied) in County Roscommon; the status of the application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2676/06]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe school referred to by the Deputy has made an application for funding under the additional accommodation scheme. All applications under this scheme are considered in the school planning section of my Department and the list of successful applicants will be published shortly.
172 Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will arrange for a design team to be appointed in full to allow progress on a new school development (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2688/06]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe school referred to by the Deputy was listed among the 43 schools that I announced in March of 2005 to start architectural planning. The brief is for a new 16-classroom school. Apart from the civil or structural engineer, whom the Department of Education and Science hopes to have appointed in the near future, all other design team members have been appointed. The architectural service for this project is being dealt with in-house by the school building section and substantial works on the early stages of the design process have already been completed.
The school authorities wrote to the Department of Education and Science in December 2005 requesting amendments to the brief and this is being examined by Department officials. When this is completed the Department of Education and Science will be in further contact with the school authorities as to the next step required to progress the project. It is not possible at this point to indicate when the architectural planning process will be completed. There are five stages in this process and the timeframe for completing these stages is contingent on various factors including any unexpected issues that may arise, the period of time for the granting of planning permission, and obtaining a fire certificate etc.
Progression of projects to construction will be considered in the context of the school building and modernisation programme for 2005 to 2009.
173 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Education and Science her plans for education (details supplied) in County Wexford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2689/06]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, officials in the school planning section of the Department of Education and Science are carrying out a review of primary and post primary school provision in the area to which he refers. This review is expected to be completed early this year.
