Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 April 2012
273 Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a school (details supplied) in County Westmeath has been pushed out to 2015/2016 on the five year construction programme to commence construction when the school is already at stage 2a of the design process; the criteria that was used to compile the list; and the reason the school has been overlooked on this most recent list. [20400/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe major capital project referred to by the Deputy is listed in the recently announced Five Year Construction Programme to commence construction in 2015/16. The brief for the project will provide a new 16-classroom school and a two-classroom special needs unit on the existing site. The project is currently at an early stage of architectural planning and was approved to commence Stage 2a — Developed Sketch Design in late January 2012.
As I outlined at the time of my announcement of the five year programme, the criteria for selection for inclusion on the list were as follows:
Major school projects, including special schools, which will provide for significant additional capacity to meet demographic growth with a focus on rapidly developing areas, have been prioritised. Where a demographic demand has been identified, the need to provide for diversity in school provision has been taken into account.
The level of contractual commitments related to expenditure in any given year.
The stage of progression reached by each individual project in the architectural design process, including the availability of sites in the case of new schools. In that regard, the scheduling of selected projects depends also on when such projects are technically ready to proceed to tender and construction.
Additional accommodation to meet demographic growth and where the project also involves replacement of temporary or unsatisfactory accommodation.
276 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will include a school (details supplied) on the five year building programme in view of the fact that they were informed the only reason the school was omitted was that they had not received permanent recognition status. [20433/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that the school referred to by the Deputy has an application with my Department for capital funding for a major school project. Information in respect of the current status of all assessed applications for major capital works, including this project, is available on the Department's website at www.education.ie. In view of the need to ensure that every child has access to a school place, the delivery of major school projects required to meet demographic demand will be the main focus for capital investment in the coming years. In the context of the need to prioritise available funding for the provision of additional school accommodation, it is not possible therefore to give an indicative timeframe for the progression of this school project at this time. The Five Year Plan, which was announced on March 12 last, prioritises new school building projects, as well as major extensions in areas where a demographic need has been established. In view of the funding constraints imposed by the need to prioritise available funding to meet additional demographic requirements, it is not possible to progress all projects within my Department’s building programme concurrently.
