Written Answers Nos. 111-114
111. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education and Skills when funding will be sanctioned for a safe drop off area for a school (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20701/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra112. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education and Skills when funding will be sanctioned for an extension to a school (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20702/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 111 and 112 together. I wish to advise the Deputy that, in general, individual school authorities are responsible, in the first instance, for ensuring the safety and welfare of children and others in their care. The issue of road safety measures outside the vested site areas of schools on public roads, such as road signage, traffic calming measures etc., is a matter, however, for the relevant Local Authority. Local Authorities have the power to decide on road safety measures outside schools to ensure that measures are in place to protect the safety of local school children. Funding is not available from my Department for this purpose. The school in question has applied to my Department for large scale capital funding for an extension. In light of the need to prioritise available funding for the provision of additional school accommodation, the delivery of major school projects required to meet future demographic demand will be the main focus for capital investment in the coming years. The 5 Year Construction Plan that I announced in March 2012 outlines the major school projects that will commence construction over the duration of the Plan. It is not possible therefore at this point to indicate when a project for the school in question will be progressed. However, school building projects, including the project in question, which have not been included in the five year construction programme, but which were announced for initial inclusion in the building programme will continue to be progressed to final planning stages in anticipation of the possibility of further funds being available to the Department in future years.
114. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will indicate the priority attached to a school building project wherein there is provision for the establishment of a three classroom autism spectrum disorder unit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20721/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra115. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Education and Skills the band rating of a school building project (details supplied) in County Cork; if this rating reflects the fact that there is provision within this project to establish a three classroom autism spectrum disorder unit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20722/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 114 and 115 together. The Deputy will be aware that the school in question has applied to my Department for large scale capital funding for the construction of an 8 classroom school with a 3 classroom Special Needs/ASD unit.
The building project is currently at an advanced stage of architectural planning. In January, the project was authorised to proceed to Stage 2(b) of the architectural planning process which includes making applications for planning permission, Fire Safety Certification, Disability Access Certification and the preparation of tender documents. The current status of all projects on the school building programme, including the school in question, may be viewed on my Department's website at www.education.ie and this is being updated regularly throughout the year.
Schools which have not been included in the five year construction programme, but which were announced for initial inclusion in the building programme will continue to be progressed to final planning stages in anticipation of the possibility of further funds being available to my Department in future years. The project referred to by the Deputy remains available to be considered for progression in that context. Priority band ratings are attached to school building projects serving rapidly developing areas where there is no existing school or where existing provision is unable to meet the demand for places. The next priority category includes the provision of specialist accommodation for children with special needs.
