Schools Building Projects.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 March 2009

Tuesday, 10 March 2009

Ceisteanna (471, 472)

James Bannon

Ceist:

496 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will expedite the building of a new school (details supplied) in County Longford, in view of the recent engineer’s report, which indicated that the 40 year old pre-fab structure in which this school is accommodated is in a serious condition and in danger of collapsing, which poses a huge threat to the health and safety of the pupils and teachers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9566/09]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)

The school to which the Deputy refers has applied to my Department for capital funding for a new school building. The progression of all large scale building projects, including this project, from initial design stage through to construction phase 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.

In the interim, it is open to the school authority to apply to my Department for funding to repair the existing school building if the Board of management deems this necessary. The school authority has been advised accordingly.

Arthur Morgan

Ceist:

497 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Minister for Education and Science if his Department has considered a site on Dominick Street, Dublin 1 for the development of a new school building (details supplied); the estimated cost for the building of such a site; if a cost benefit analysis will be carried out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9569/09]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)

I can confirm to the Deputy that my Department has made preliminary enquires with the local authority in relation to its plans for the Dominick Street area of Dublin.

As the local authority plans for the area have not, to date, advanced to any significant degree, the Department has not carried out a cost benefit analysis for the project in question. It is not, therefore, possible to provide an indication of what the cost might be if the school in question was to be re-located there. I should inform the Deputy, however, that my Department does not usually provide this information prior to tendering as this could jeopardise the tendering process.