Schools Building Projects

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 30 September 2010

Thursday, 30 September 2010

Ceisteanna (113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119)

Emmet Stagg

Ceist:

109 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if she will appoint a design team for the building of a permanent school (details supplied) in County Kildare. [34418/10]

Emmet Stagg

Ceist:

116 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills when a design team will be appointed for the required extension to a school (details supplied) in County Kildare. [34434/10]

Emmet Stagg

Ceist:

117 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if she will sanction the appointment of a design team for the required extension of a school (details supplied) in County Kildare. [34435/10]

Freagraí scríofa

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 109, 116 and 117 together.

I can confirm that the schools to which the Deputy refers have made applications to my Department for large scale capital funding. The applications have been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria for large scale building projects and assigned an appropriate band rating.

There are four band ratings under the prioritisation 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.

Information in respect of the current school building programme along with all assessed applications for major capital works, including the projects referred to by the Deputy, is available on the Department's website at www.education.ie.

The progression of all large scale building projects, including these projects, from initial design stage through to construction phase will be considered in the context of the Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme. However, in light of current competing demands on the Department's capital budget, it is not possible to give an indicative timeframe for the progression of the projects at the schools in question at this time.

Emmet Stagg

Ceist:

110 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if the contracts have been signed for the building of a new school in Ardclough, County Kildare. [34419/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

My Department recently received the Tender Report for the school to which the Deputy refers.

When this documentation has been assessed and assuming that no issues arise, it is envisaged that the contract will be awarded and that the project will progress to construction.

Emmet Stagg

Ceist:

111 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the completion date specified in the contract for the extension to a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; and the cost of the contract. [34422/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

The project to which the Deputy refers has a twelve month contract period and it is envisaged that it will be substantially complete at the end of August 2011.

Information on the contract sum is commercially sensitive and it would be inappropriate of me to release such information as it could undermine current tender competitions.

Emmet Stagg

Ceist:

112 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if work on the new national school at Kill County Kildare, is progressing satisfactorily; and if she can confirm that the project should be completed in December 2010. [34424/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

The original contractor appointed for this project went into receivership. Subsequently a completion contractor was appointed and works re-commenced in April of this year. The project is now progressing satisfactorily and it is envisaged that the new school will be ready for occupation early next year.

Emmet Stagg

Ceist:

113 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills when the building project for the required extension to a school (details supplied) in County Kildare is expected to be completed. [34431/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

The extension project at the school referred to by the Deputy is an 18 month contract. It is envisaged that it will be substantially complete in March 2011.