Schools Building Projects.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 27 September 2006

Wednesday, 27 September 2006

Ceisteanna (1219, 1220, 1221)

Paddy McHugh

Ceist:

1286 Mr. McHugh asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the provision of a school (details supplied) in County Galway; the manner in which it is proposed to provide the accommodation; the stage the project is at; when the project will proceed to the next stage; when construction work will commence; the reasons for the delay to date; the actions which are being taken to ensure that no further undue delay occurs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28899/06]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Science (Ms Hanafin)

The schools to which the Deputy refers have agreed to amalgamate into a single girls' school, to cater for a long term projected enrolment of 700 pupils.

Amalgamation is dependent on the availability of suitable accommodation and a decision has been taken to provide a new school on a new site. The Property Management Section of the OPW, which acts on behalf of my Department in relation to site acquisitions generally, are considering a number of site proposals with the intention of acquiring a suitable site to facilitate the development of a new school building. Due to the commercial sensitivities of site acquisitions, it is not proposed at this stage to identify specific sites being considered.

As soon as the site issue is finalised, the building project required to deliver the appropriate accommodation will be considered in the context of the School Building and Modernisation Programme 2006-2010.

The project has been assigned a Band 1.4 rating by my Department and this will positively influence the timescale for delivery of the project.

Paddy McHugh

Ceist:

1287 Mr. McHugh asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the provision of a school (details supplied) in County Galway; the manner in which it is proposed to provide the accommodation; the stage the project is at; when the project will proceed to the next stage; when construction work will commence; the reasons for the delay to date; the actions which are being taken to ensure that no further undue delay occurs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28900/06]

Minister for Education and Science (Ms Hanafin)

The schools to which the Deputy refers have agreed to amalgamate into a single boys' school, to cater for a long term projected enrolment of 700 pupils.

Amalgamation is dependent on the availability of suitable accommodation and a decision has been taken to provide a new school on a new site. The Patron of the proposed amalgamated school has offered to provide a site to accommodate the new school and communications are ongoing with the Patron in this regard.

As soon as the site issue is finalised, the building project required to deliver the appropriate accommodation will be considered in the context of the School Building and Modernisation Programme 2006 – 2010.

As a result of the proposed amalgamation, the project has been assigned a Band 1.4 rating by my Department and this will positively influence the timescale for delivery of the project.

Paddy McHugh

Ceist:

1288 Mr. McHugh asked the Minister for Education and Science the position in relation to a project (details supplied) in County Galway; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28901/06]

Minister for Education and Science (Ms Hanafin)

Following a detailed assessment of the school's long term accommodation needs, a decision was taken to provide a new six classroom school. In order to facilitate this development, the Office of Public Works, which acts on behalf of my Department in relation to site acquisition, is at an advanced stage of the acquisition of land adjacent to the existing site.

When the site acquisition process is finalised, the school building project will be considered in the context of the School Building and Modernisation Programme 2006-2010.