Seanad debates

Tuesday, 6 February 2007

Adjournment Matters

Schools Building Projects.

8:00 pm

Photo of James BannonJames Bannon (Fine Gael)
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I thank the Minister of State for taking this motion, the purpose of which is to highlight need for the provision of an update on the status of the application by Scoil Etchen, Kinnegad, County Westmeath, for a proposed building project, which is urgently required to facilitate the demand for places at the school caused by the increased population levels in the Kinnegad area. Everyone who has moved into the area is welcome to the constituency.

Kinnegad is a rapidly expanding area, with a population that has more than doubled, from 652 in 1996 to 1,429 according to the 2002 census — it is still rising — as a result of increasing pressure for housing in the area from Dublin commuters. Housing estates are springing up to accommodate the increasing overspill from Dublin and because those houses are primarily occupied by families, there is a much great demand for school places than was the case ten or even five years ago.

St. Etchen's is the main provider of primary education in the area and urgently needs to commence a building programme for extra classroom and other facilities. I understand that two extra prefabs have been approved for the school by the Department but it is essential to the continued expansion of the enrolment at the school that more substantial and long-term accommodation be provided. The parents and board of management want a substantial and new school building to be provided.

The building programme for this school has been the subject of questions in both Houses of the Oireachtas since the early architectural stage was initiated in 2002, when more than 200 people were accommodated in prefabs. It is now 2007 and the school is still awaiting suitable accommodation. That is not good enough at a time when successive Ministers state the country is awash with money. There is a great deal of annoyance in this and other areas in my constituency regarding the lack of school facilities for primary and post-primary students.

The school authorities are anxiously awaiting approval of stage 3 documentation — detailed drawings, cost plan and reports — which were submitted to the Department in April 2006 in order to seek planning permission and to bring the project to tender and construction, as a matter of urgency.

I have been engaged in networking and canvassing in the area in question and every person to whom I spoke referred to the lack of places in the school in question. I urge the Minister of State to do whatever is in his power to ensure that the project is delivered on. Perhaps I might be in a position to deliver good news to the people on Kinnegad as I return home this evening.

Photo of Noel TreacyNoel Treacy (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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I admire Senator Bannon's enthusiasm in the context of his already being out knocking on doors. I have been Member of the Houses for almost 25 years and I have yet to knock at a door before an election was called. I hope he is not too early.

I thank the Senator for giving me the opportunity to outline the position of the Department of Science regarding Scoil Etchen, Kinnegad, County Westmeath. In 2005 the Department of Education and Science announced details of 89 primary schools and 33 post primary schools that were allowed to progress to tender and construction. St. Etchen's, Kinnegad, was among the primary schools listed in the announcement.

In February 2005 representatives of the school attended a meeting in Tullamore organised by the building unit of the Department, which outlined the steps that a school should take to advance a building project through tender and construction phases. In September 2005 the Department received a stage 3 — developed sketch scheme — of architectural planning from the school authorities. The brief for the project is to provide adequate accommodation for a principal and 16 classroom teachers. This involves the construction of eight additional classrooms and ancillary accommodation, plus upgrading works to the existing school.

In November 2005 a letter issued from the building unit to the board of management of the school requesting a revised stage 3 submission. A revised submission was received in March 2006. At the end of that month, a further letter issued to the board of management requesting detailed information in relation to the mechanical and electrical element of the stage 3 submission. A response was received from the school in April 2006.

In July 2006, following a comprehensive examination of the revised stage 3 documentation, the building unit issued a further letter to the board of management requesting additional information in relation to a number of matters. A response was received in late October 2006 and was examined by the Department. A meeting was held on Monday, 5 February 2007 between officials of the Department of Education and Science and the school authorities and their design team to try and resolve any remaining difficulties with the stage 3 submission. As a result of this meeting, further information must be supplied to the Department by the school and its design team on or before Tuesday, 20 March 2007.

Once the stage 3 submission is approved by the Department, the school will be given devolved authority to seek planning permission, prepare tender documentation and, finally, invite tenders.

I assure Senator Bannon that the Department of Education and Science is committed to providing suitable high quality accommodation for Scoil Etchen at the earliest possible date. I again thank him for raising this matter.

Photo of James BannonJames Bannon (Fine Gael)
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I hope after 20 March 2007 everything will be ready to roll.

Photo of Noel TreacyNoel Treacy (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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I think the Senator is right about 20 May as well, and the day after that also.

Photo of James BannonJames Bannon (Fine Gael)
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I have every confidence in the board of management. We will forward any outstanding recommendations to the Minister of State. I hope the Department will not be found wanting in delivering this project.