Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 29 June 2011
111 Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the proposed new secondary school application to be built in Skibbereen, County Cork; his views in relation to funding this development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17785/11]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn September 2005, my Department announced the allocation of funding of €300 million for an Education PPP Programme comprising of 23 new post primary schools and 4 new primary schools under a major expansion of the Government's Public Private Partnership Programme. The provision of the proposed new secondary school in Skibbereen was included in that announcement. The first bundle of schools comprising of Coláiste na Sionna, Banagher and Gallen Community School, Ferbane, Scoil Chriost Rí, Portlaoise and St. Mary's CBS Portlaoise have been completed and occupied since September 2010. The second bundle of primary and post primary schools comprising Bantry Community College and Gaelscoil Bheanntraí, Co Cork, Kildare Town Community School, Abbeyfeale Community College, Athboy Community School and Wicklow Town Community College are currently under construction and due to be completed in the 2nd half of this year. The third bundle of schools comprising Athlone Community College, Ballinamore Community School, Doughiska Primary and post primary schools, Galway, Doon Community School, Limerick, Tramore Secondary School, Coláiste Ailigh, Letterkenny and Gorey Community School is currently going through the procurement phase. Construction is due to commence on this bundle in the first quarter of 2012 with an expected completion date by September 2013. The provision of the school in Skibbereen will be considered for inclusion in future bundles of PPP schools. The make up and timing of school bundles in my Department's PPP school building programme will be determined in consultation with the National Development Finance Agency (NDFA). The issues to be considered in the timing and bundling of these schools include site availability for each school, geographical spread and the estimated total cost of the proposed school bundle.
112 Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the current situation with regard to the major capital works project of a school (details supplied) in County Galway, when a decision will issue on this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17788/11]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, a major project for the school to which he refers was included on the list of projects on the work programme for 2011, which was announced on 24 January 2011, where accommodation briefs will be formulated and the process of appointing a Design Team will commence. In order to progress this matter further, the Department is, in the first instance, reviewing the Schedule of Accommodation to ensure that appropriate provision is being made to meet the school's needs. My Department expects to be in contact with the school authorities shortly in this regard.
