John Moloney (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Senator for raising this matter. I apologise for the absence of the Minister for Education and Science, Deputy Batt O'Keeffe, who cannot be here to respond in person.

I thank the Senator for giving me an opportunity of outlining to the Seanad the Department's position regarding the planned re-roofing of Balbriggan community college. The total capital allocation for the primary and post-primary sectors in 2010 is €578 million. The primary sector allocation is €378 million and the post-primary allocation is €200 million. On 16 February last the Minister announced the 2010 large scale school building programme. Some 52 school projects, 37 primary and 15 post-primary, will advance to tender and construction. Some 51 school building projects, 44 primary and seven post-primary, will appoint design teams later this year. Approval has been given for seven new primary schools to open in rapidly developing areas in September this year. Arising from earlier school building programme announcements, some 30 large scale projects, 23 primary and seven post-primary, are under construction. Some 27 large scale projects, 19 primary and eight post-primary, are due to commence construction during the first half of the year. A further 14 projects, ten primary and four post-primary, are due to go on site as soon as possible.

The allocation for the 2010 summer works scheme will facilitate the completion of over 1,000 small and medium scale building works. Funding will also issue to applicant schools in respect of new water conservation measures. Expenditure on the 2010 summer works scheme and on commitments arising from earlier years will be approximately €110 million. An allocation of €28 million has been set aside for the minor works grant. Capital funding will be available throughout the year for a range of programmes, including the completion of the permanent accommodation and small school schemes, the completion of the energy efficiency scheme, the provision of furniture and equipment, the continuation of the remediation programmes for asbestos, radon and mould, emergency works, miscellaneous items, additional prefabricated and permanent accommodation, and site acquisitions as they arise.

The replacement of the roof in Balbriggan community college, the specific issue referred to by the Senator, has been identified as necessary under the Department's asbestos remediation programme. The college, which has an enrolment of 584 pupils, consists of two buildings — the original 1950s vocational school building and a more substantial building that was built on the same site in the early 1980s. The Office of Public Works administers the schools asbestos remediation programme on behalf of the Department of Education and Science. The Department is in negotiations with the OPW on this project. The entire cost of the programme of detection, removal and reinstatement is borne by the Department. Lengthy and detailed preparation work by consultants is required to bring major projects, such as the roof replacement works of Balbriggan community college, to tender stage. The proposed work entails the removal and replacement of the asbestos roof, gutters and down pipes, with associated works including ceiling replacement and rewiring where necessary. The Department has been in recent contact with the OPW in relation to the progression of this major project.

The Department of Education and Science has made considerable investment in Balbriggan community college. An all-in grant of more than €27,000 was provided in August 2006 for a replacement boiler in the school. Under the summer works schemes, over €23,000 was provided for electrical works. A further grant of more than €1.1 million was provided under the 2007 summer works scheme for extensive works to the school, including enlarging and upgrading classrooms and practical work rooms, renovating toilets and demolishing old stores. The 2009 summer works scheme, which is ongoing in the school, includes renovation of the original 1950s building, including roofing of the courtyard area. The vocational education committee has recently been instructed to proceed to tender for the replacement of the gas boiler and the LPG gas system for the science rooms in the school. The Minister is as keen as the school community to progress the roof replacement as soon as possible.