Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 January 2009
1600 Deputy Michael Noonan asked the Minister for Education and Science when sanction to go to tender will be given to a school (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2129/09]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe school to which the Deputy refers originally applied to my Department for an extension/refurbishment project. It subsequently changed its application to a greenfield site building.
The progression of all large scale building projects from initial design stage through to construction will be considered on an on-going basis in the context of my Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme. However, in light of current competing demands on the Department's capital budget, it is not possible to give an indicative timeframe for the progression of a project for this school at this time.
1601 Deputy Michael Noonan asked the Minister for Education and Science when sanction will be given to the board of management of a school (details supplied) in County Limerick to proceed to tender and construction for an extension at the school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2130/09]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe school to which the Deputy refers has applied for large scale capital funding for an extension/refurbishment project.
The project is at an advanced stage of architectural planning. In this regard, the stage 4/5 submission (detailed design) has recently been approved by my Department.
The further progression of this project, in common with all large scale projects, will be considered in the context of my Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme. However, in light of current competing demands on the capital budget of the Department, it is not possible to give an indicative timeframe for the progression of the project at this time.
1602 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the primary and post primary schools in Naas, County Kildare which have sought or are seeking extensions, upgrading or provision of new or alternative facilities on existing or alternative sites in the past five years; when the request for such facilities was first made; the extent to which provision has been made to date; the nature of the current accommodation; the location where provision has not been made; when he expects to be in a position to meet outstanding requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2132/09]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, the main emphasis in 2008 was on providing sufficient school places in developing areas such as Naas, as well as delivering improvements in the quality of existing primary and post-primary school accommodation throughout the country.
In this context, I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the construction phase to deliver a permanent 16-classroom school building for Gaelscoil Nás na Ríogh commenced in March 2008 with completion expected later in 2009. Initially, a block of 10 new classrooms was delivered in August 2008, ready for the 2008/2009 school year.
Also at Primary level, my Department identified the need to expand Scoil Bhríde from a 16 to a 24-classroom school.
An application for a new school building from St David's NS, and an application from Convent of Mercy NS for an extension and refurbishment of their existing building, have been received in my Department.
At Post-Primary level, a building project for Meánscoil Iognáid Rís, consisting of a new 4 storey extension was recently approved to proceed to construction.
The relocation of St. Patrick's Post Primary school is expected to be completed later this year.
Clongowes Wood made an application in 2007, for Capital funding, to replace existing prefabricated accommodation with a permanent structure.
The progression of all large scale building projects from initial design stage through to construction phase is considered on an on-going basis in the context of my Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme. In light of current competing demands on the capital budget of my Department, it is not possible to give an indicative timeframe for the progression of any outstanding projects at this time.
1603 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the primary and post primary schools in Clane, County Kildare which have sought or are seeking extensions, upgrading or provision of new or alternative facilities on existing or alternative sites in the past five years; when the request for such facilities was first made; the extent to which provision has been made to date; the nature of the current accommodation; the location where provision has not been made; when he expects to be in a position to meet outstanding requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2133/09]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are two primary schools and one post primary in Clane, Co. Kildare.
All three schools have applied to my Department for large scale capital funding for extension projects.
The application from St. Patrick's Boys National School was received in June 2005, the application from Scoil Bhríde National School was received in April 2007 and the application from Clane Community School was received in July 2006.
St. Patrick's Boys National School received funding from my Department in 2003 to construct one classroom under a devolved scheme. My Department is providing rental grant aid for two classroom size prefabs pending the delivery of the school's large scale building project.
The Community School received funding in 2006 and 2008 to purchase 2 classroom size prefabs on each of those occasions.
The progression of all large scale building projects, including the projects in Clane, will be considered in the context of my Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme. However, in light of current competing demands on my Department's capital budget, it is not possible to give an indicative timeframe for the progression of the projects in question at this time.
1604 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the primary and post primary schools in Celbridge, County Kildare which have sought or are seeking extensions, upgrading or provision of new or alternative facilities on existing or alternative sites in the past five years; when the request for such facilities was first made; the extent to which provision has been made to date; the nature of the current accommodation; the location where provision has not been made; when he expects to be in a position to meet outstanding requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2134/09]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, the main emphasis in 2008 was on providing sufficient school places in developing areas such as Celbridge, as well as delivering improvements in the quality of existing primary and post-primary school accommodation throughout the country.
In this context, a new 16 classroom school was provided in September 2008 for Scoil Naomh Pádraig.
At Primary level also, Scoil Naomh Brid was offered €240,000, under the 2007 Permanent Accommodation Scheme, to provide 4 resource rooms. Scoil na Mainistreach was also offered €360,000, under the 2007 Permanent Accommodation Scheme, to provide 2 classrooms and 2 resource rooms.
The school building project for St. Raphael's Special School is currently in early architectural planning. Also, Scoil Mochua has an application for an extension.
At Post-Primary level, my Department is not in receipt of any application for Capital funding.
In light of current competing demands on the capital budget of my Department, it is not possible to give an indicative timeframe for the progression of any outstanding projects at this time. The progression of all large scale building projects from initial design stage through to construction phase is considered on an ongoing basis in the context of my Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme.
1605 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the primary and post primary schools in Kilcock, County Kildare which have sought or are seeking extensions, upgrading or provision of new or alternative facilities on existing or alternative sites in the past five years; when the request for such facilities was first made; the extent to which provision has been made to date; the nature of the current accommodation; the location where provision has not been made; when he expects to be in a position to meet outstanding requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2135/09]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, the main emphasis in 2008 was on providing sufficient school places in developing areas such as Kilcock, as well as delivering improvements in the quality of existing primary and post-primary school accommodation throughout the country.
I wish to advise the Deputy that at Post-Primary level my Department is not in receipt of any application for Capital funding.
At Primary level, a new 16 classroom school was constructed for Gaelscoil Uí Riada in 2007.
Scoil Choca Naofa submitted an application for an extension, when complete will bring the school to 16 mainstream classrooms. My Department has received the Stage 3 submission (i.e. Developed Sketch Scheme) from the school's Design Team and my Technical Staff are currently examining the school's Stage 3 submission. Officials from my Department will be in contact with the school authorities when the Stage 3 submission is approved.
St. Joseph's Boys National School submitted an application for an extension which will bring the school to a 16 classroom school when complete. The Schedule of Accommodation is currently being reviewed.
In the interim period, pending the provision of the school building project, my Department has approved an All In Grant of €240,000 to cater for their immediate accommodation needs.
In light of current competing demands on the capital budget of my Department, it is not possible to give an indicative timeframe for the progression of any outstanding projects at this time. The progression of all large scale building projects from initial design stage through to construction phase is considered on an on-going basis in the context of my Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme.
1606 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the primary and post primary schools in Maynooth, County Kildare which have sought or are seeking extensions, upgrading or provision of new or alternative facilities on existing or alternative sites in the past five years; when the request for such facilities was first made; the extent to which provision has been made to date; the nature of the current accommodation; the location where provision has not been made; when he expects to be in a position to meet outstanding requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2136/09]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, the main emphasis in 2008 was on providing sufficient school places in developing areas such as Maynooth, as well as delivering improvements in the quality of existing primary and post-primary school accommodation throughout the country.
In this context, a new 8 classroom school was provided in September 2008 for Maynooth Educate Together.
Also, a new 16-classroom school for Gaelscoil Uí Fhiaich, by way of generic repeat design has recently been approved to proceed to Stage 2b (preparation of detailed design and tender documents).
Furthermore, my Department has identified the need to expand Presentation Girls School, Maynooth, by a further 6-classroom. This will bring the Presentation Girls School to a 24-classroom school when the building project is completed.
My Department has also identified the need to expand Maynooth Boys NS to a 24-classroom school.
At Post-Primary level, an extension project at Maynooth Post-Primary School was completed in May 2007.
In light of current competing demands on the capital budget of my Department, it is not possible to give an indicative timeframe for the progression of any outstanding projects at this time. The progression of all large scale building projects from initial design stage through to construction phase is considered on an on-going basis in the context of my Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme.
