Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 January 2010
335 Deputy Tom Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason a school project (details supplied) in County Tipperary has not been allocated funding and completed due to the fact that it poses a threat to children and teachers alike; if that school has been contacted by his Department as stated in Parliamentary Question No. 339 of 1 December 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2707/10]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that the schools to which the Deputy refers have agreed to amalgamate into one school building. The application has been assessed in accordance with published prioritisation criteria for large scale projects and assigned a band 1.4 rating. The progression of all large scale building projects, including this project, from initial design stage through to construction will be considered in the context of the school building and modernisation programme. However, in view of the level of demand on the Department's capital budget, it is not possible to give an indicative timeframe for the progression the project at this time. However, my Department is aware of the situation in relation to the accommodation issues in the schools in question. The Department is considering options to address the immediate needs of both schools and I can confirm that officials in my Department have recently been in contact with both schools in this regard.
