Seán Crowe
Ceist:254 Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will ensure funding is provided for a school (details supplied) in County Wicklow. [21746/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 1 May 2012
Ceisteanna (194, 195, 196)
Freagraí scríofa
I can confirm to the Deputy that my Department is in receipt of an application for a new school building from the school to which he refers. The school authority in question has identified a site which it considers suitable as a location for the construction of a permanent building for the school. However, the site in question is not currently serviced and is not immediately accessible. Instead, it forms part of a larger site which is undeveloped and is unlikely to be developed in the near future.
The cost of providing infrastructure to the proposed school site would be significant. As such, this site is not considered a viable option for any school until the adjoining lands are developed so that the full cost of providing services and infrastructure to the entire site is not borne by my Department or the relevant VEC. As outlined in the Five Year Plan, the delivery of major school projects required to meet demographic demand will be the main focus for capital investment in the coming years. Due to the financial constraints imposed by the need to prioritise available funding to meet future demographic demands, it has not been possible to advance all applications for capital funding concurrently. The Deputy will appreciate that the primary aim at the core of the Five Year Plan, is to ensure that every child will have access to a physical school place.
Finian McGrath
Ceist:255 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding funding in respect of schools (details supplied) in Dublin 7 in view of the health and safety issues. [21794/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe schools referred to by the Deputy submitted an application for funding under my Department's Emergency Works Scheme to carry out concrete repair works to their school buildings. As the scope of works for which funding is sought is outside the terms of the scheme it cannot be considered for funding. The school authority has been informed of this decision.
Ciara Conway
Ceist:256 Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Education and Skills the progress made, if any, in relation to plans for a proposed extension to a school (details supplied) in County Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21810/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is currently at an early stage of architectural planning.
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. Other 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 my Department's capital budget, it is not possible at this time to indicate when this project will progress to tender and construction stage.