Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 11 March 2010
205 Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Education and Science when the construction of a new school (details supplied), already planned, will now be expedited in view of its total destruction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12054/10]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, the incident to which he refers only took place at the weekend. In the circumstances, my Department, with the assistance of the VEC, is currently concentrating efforts on providing alternative accommodation for the school to ensure that it can re-commence operation as quickly as possible. In this regard, I am pleased to be able to inform the Deputy that the VEC has offered to make accommodation available to the school in its new post primary building. My Department is appreciative of this offer and it is now working with the school to provide it with the necessary supports for its start up in this accommodation. Plans for a permanent home for the school will be considered in due course.
206 Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the need for refurbishment and the provision of additional permanent accommodation at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; his views on whether that there are particular expectations that these works will be permitted in view of the realignment of education provision which is planned for the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12057/10]
Amharc ar fhreagraDue to industrial action on the part of some staff in the Department of Education and Science, I am not in a position to give full details of the project for the school referred to by the Deputy. However, as the Deputy will be aware, the progression of all large scale building projects, including the project for the school in question, 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 of the project at this time.
