Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 5 May 2010
379 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if a contractor has been assigned to the building of the new school (details supplied) in County Wicklow; if so, the details of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17641/10]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am pleased to inform the Deputy that the school in County Limerick to which he refers, commenced construction in late April.
380 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide the necessary funding in 2010 to a school (details supplied) in County Kerry. [17643/10]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that the school to which the Deputy refers has made an application to my Department for large scale capital funding. The application has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria for large scale building projects and assigned an appropriate band rating. 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. In the meantime, it is open to the school to apply for additional or temporary accommodation should an urgent for same need arise.
