Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 October 2010
147 Deputy Jimmy Deenihan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills when a technical team will be sent to a school (details supplied) in County Kerry regarding the provision of an extension to the school to replace existing prefabs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35214/10]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe school to which the Deputy refers has applied to my Department for capital funding for an extension, including the replacement of prefabs. The application has been assessed in accordance with published prioritisation criteria for large scale projects and assigned a band 2 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, is available on the 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 the Department's website. The progression of all large scale building projects, including this project, from initial design stage through to construction will be considered in the context of the school building and modernisation programme. The issue of a technical assessment would normally arise at that point. 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.
