Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 29 September 2010
259 Deputy Tom Hayes asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the school building funding application in respect of a school (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32243/10]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn 2004, agreement was reached to amalgamate the school referred to by the Deputy and one other primary school in the town. An application was made for capital funding towards the amalgamation project. It was assessed and the project was assigned a band rating of 1.4.
A technical inspection was carried out on the existing school buildings to determine which would be suitable to facilitate the amalgamated school. The report produced following this inspection concluded that the most suitable building to facilitate the amalgamation would be the girls' school. It also found that an additional portion of land would be required from the Sisters of Mercy to facilitate the development. The Sisters of Mercy have indicated that they would, in principle, be disposed to selling land to the Department to facilitate the proposed works.
The progression of this building project and the acquisition of the additional land required to facilitate the amalgamation, 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.
