Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 28 March 2012
116 Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a school (details supplied) in County Cork has been omitted from the school building programme announced, in view of the fact that the project was well advanced. [17099/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra120 Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a school (details supplied) in County Cork has been omitted from the school building programme in view of the fact that the project was well advanced. [17135/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 116 and 120 together.
In view of the need to ensure that every child has access to a school place, the delivery of major school projects to meet the demographic demands nationally will be the main focus for capital investment in schools in the coming years. The five year programme announced recently is focused on meeting those demographic needs. In that context, it was not possible to advance all applications for capital funding concurrently. The building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is currently at an advanced stage of architectural planning. The Design Team are currently working on Stage 2(b) of Architectural Planning which includes securing Planning Permission, Fire Certificate and Disability Access Certificate (DAC) and the preparation of tender documents. School building projects currently in architectural planning, including the project referred to by the Deputy, will continue to be advanced incrementally over time within the context of the funding available. However, in light of current competing demands on the Department's capital budget, it is not possible to progress this project to tender and construction at this time.
