Billy Timmins
Ceist:106 Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22457/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 3 May 2012
Ceisteanna (107, 108)
Freagraí scríofa
The major building project for the school referred to by the Deputy was included in the five year construction programme and is listed to proceed to construction in 2015/2016. The building project is at an advanced stage of architectural planning. The design team are currently working on completing the stage 2(b) submission which will then be submitted to my Department for review. For the purposes of the 5 Year construction programme new school building projects as well as major extensions have been prioritised on the basis of meeting demographic needs in areas where such needs have been identified.
Due to the financial constraints imposed by the need to prioritise the funding available each year for the provision of school accommodation to meet the increasing demographic requirements it has not been possible to advance all projects to construction concurrently. In the meantime, for works that are of a very urgent nature, it is open to the school authorities to consider if the works in question might qualify for funding under my Department's Emergency Works Scheme. An emergency is deemed to be a situation which poses an immediate risk to health, life, property or the environment which is sudden, unforeseen and requires immediate action and, in the case of a school, if not corrected would prevent the school or part thereof from opening. Details of the Scheme, together with an application form for grant assistance, can be accessed on my Department's website at www.education.ie.
Catherine Murphy
Ceist:107 Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the date on which the newly constructed school (details supplied) in County Kildare will open; the reason for the delay in same; the leases that are in place for the current prefabs; the amount that has been allocated for renting prefabs in this school in 2012; if additional posts have been scheduled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22458/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe project to which the deputy refers is close to completion. However, there are a number of technical issues which need to be resolved before the building can be handed over to the school authority. It is anticipated that these issues will be resolved in the coming weeks. There is currently only one small prefab leased by the school and the rent is €2,878.20 (VAT incl.) per annum. The staffing levels at the school will remain the same for the 2012/2013 academic year.