Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 February 2010
586 Deputy Noel J. Coonan asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding an application for a refurbishment and extension project in respect of a school (details supplied) in County Tipperary; the timeframe for completion of works; the works to be carried out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7625/10]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that my Department has received an application for major capital funding from the school to which the Deputy refers. The application has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria for large scale building projects and assigned a band rating of 2.
Information in respect of the current school building programme along with all assessed applications for major capital works, including the project referred to by the Deputy, are now available on my Department's website at www.education.ie
The priority attaching to individual projects is determined by published prioritisation criteria, which were formulated following consultation with the Education Partners. There are four band ratings under these criteria, each of which describes the extent of accommodation required and the urgency attaching to it. Band 1 is the highest priority rating and Band 4 is the lowest. Documents explaining the band rating system are also available on my Department's website.
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.
587 Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the serious subsidence at a school (details supplied) in County Wexford and danger to pupils and staff; when an application was made to his Department for a new school premises; the position regarding this application; the way he plans to eliminate the danger to staff and pupils; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7630/10]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Planning and Building Unit of my Department is aware of the issues at the school to which the Deputy refers. An Emergency Works Grant was approved in July 2009 to address these issues. As the grant was not drawn down by the school, it was again offered in December 2009. To date, the funding has still not been drawn down.
In January 2008, the school applied for large scale capital funding for a new building. This project has been assigned a Band 2 rating under the published prioritisation criteria for large scale building projects. Due to the level of demand on the Department's capital budget, it is not possible to give an indicative timescale for the progression of a project for the school at this time.
588 Deputy Darragh O’Brien asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the planned extension to a school (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7632/10]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe project at the school to which the Deputy refers is at an early stage of architectural planning. 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 my Department, it is not possible to give an indicative timeframe for the progression of the project at this time.
