Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 February 2007
240 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Education and Science the way she will address the need for extra classroom accommodation for a school (details supplied) in County Dublin for September 2007; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the existing staff room accommodation is inadequate; and the way she proposes to meet these requirements in view of health and safety legislation. [4455/07]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe school to which the Deputy refers has not applied to the Department for either extra classroom accommodation or for an improved staffroom. It has applied for a GP room. This application has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria for large scale building projects and has been assigned a Band 3 rating. Progress on the project is being considered in the context of the School Building and Modernisation Programme from 2007 onwards.
If the school requires classroom accommodation for September 2007, it is open to the school authority to apply under the Rental of Temporary Accommodation Scheme. Application forms are available on the Department's website.
241 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Education and Science her proposals to provide a permanent extension for a school (details supplied) in County Dublin to meet the demands on the school and the population expansion in Balbriggan; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that there is an urgent need to revamp the electrical supply within the school which would be required to accommodate additional temporary accommodation on the site; and if she will address this issue as a matter of urgency. [4456/07]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe school to which the Deputy refers is a senior school, which is linked to a junior school in Balbriggan. Due to the interdependency of both schools, any development at one will have an impact on the other.
The Department is in communication with the Patron body regarding the future development of both schools.
The school in question has applied for temporary classrooms to cater for increased enrolments for 2007/08. This application is currently being assessed and the school authority will be advised of the outcome in the very near future.
The issue regarding electrical supply should be addressed by the school's consultant when the temporary accommodation is being provided.
I am aware that, consistent with the Fingal Area as a whole, Balbriggan is experiencing considerable development. The Department recently published an Area Development Plan in draft format which sets out the educational infrastructural requirements of this area into the future. The Commission on School accommodation has commenced a public consultation process on this document. When the final plan is published, this will become the framework against which capital investment for the area will be made for the foreseeable future.
The draft plan is entitled Draft Area Development Plan for North Dublin East Meath and South Louth and it is available on the Department's website www.education.ie
