John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 484: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the status of an application for a school extension (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; if the project qualifies for a devolved grant; and if a decision on the application will be expedited. [4825/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The school referred to by the Deputy applied to my Department for grant aid towards the construction of additional accommodation consisting of a remedial room, library area, medical room and staff-administration area. The project has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria, which were revised following consultation with the education partners, and its progress, including delivery type, is being considered in the context of the school building programme. In this regard, the Deputy will be aware that I recently announced the first phase of the 2005 school building programme which provided details of 122 major school building projects country wide which will prepare tenders and move to construction during 2005.

This announcement is the first in a series of announcements I plan to make in the coming period in relation to the schools building and modernisation programme that will include details of schools identified as suitable for construction under public private partnerships; an expansion of the number of schools that will be invited to deliver their building projects on the basis of devolved funding; details of schools with projects approved under the 2005 summer works scheme; schools whose projects will further progress through the design process and schools that will be authorised to commence architectural planning. The project is in the early stages of architectural planning.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 485: To ask the Minister for Education and Science when work will begin on the long awaited and urgently needed extension to a secondary school (details supplied) in County Wexford; the reason this extension, which appeared on the 2003/2004 lists has not appeared on the 2005 list; if her attention has been drawn to the list of urgent requirements in the school; if she will meet with a deputation of the school board of management and staff; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4826/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The school referred to by the Deputy has an application with my Department for a large-scale extension. The project was listed in section 9 of the 2004 capital programme as being in the early stages of architectural planning. In recent months, all projects, including the one in question, have been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria for the capital programme, which were revised following consultation with the education partners. Progress on the particular project referred to by the Deputy is being considered in the context of the school building programme. In view of this procedure, it is not my intention to meet with the board of management at this time. The Deputy will be aware that I recently announced the first phase of the 2005 programme which provided details of 122 major school building projects country wide which will prepare tenders and move to construction during 2005.

This announcement is the first in a series of announcements I plan to make in the coming period in relation to the schools building and modernisation programme that will include details of schools identified as suitable for construction under public private partnerships; an expansion of the number of schools that will be invited to deliver their building projects on the basis of devolved funding; details of schools with projects approved under the 2005 summer works scheme; schools whose projects will further progress through the design process and schools that will be authorised to commence architectural planning.