Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 July 2011
222 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a planned extension to a primary school (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will set out a timeline for the completion of the project. [22446/11]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe project to which the Deputy refers is at an advanced stage of the tender process. Subject to no issues arising, it is envisaged that the project will progress to construction in the coming months and will take circa 18 months to complete.
223 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding planned extension and refurbishment works at a second level school (details supplied) in County Cork. [22447/11]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that in 2009, a proposed major capital project for the school referred to by the Deputy was announced to proceed through the architectural planning process. Since then, it has not been possible to progress this project due to on-going issues regarding access to the proposed site for the school building project. Officials from my Department are in on-going contact with the school authorities to resolve these issues so that the project may proceed to the next stage and the appointment of a Design Team.
In the meantime, my Department has approved temporary accommodation to meet the schools interim accommodation requirements and my Department is currently considering an application from the school for temporary accommodation. My Department will be in further contact with the school authorities in this regard.
224 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the application for a new school building by a national school (details supplied) in County Cork. [22448/11]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe school to which the Deputy refers has applied to my Department for large scale capital funding for an extension. The application has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria for large scale building projects and assigned a Band 1 rating.
My Department has reached agreement, in principle, in relation to the proposed acquisition of a site for a permanent building for the school. Liaison with the Local Authority on the matter is ongoing and an outline planning application is currently being prepared. Due to the commercial sensitivities relating to site acquisitions, I am not in a position to comment further at this time on issues relating to the site.
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.
All large scale building projects, including this project, from initial design stage through to construction phase are being progressed in the context of my Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme and the available financial resources. 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.
