Written answers

Wednesday, 9 March 2005

Department of Education and Science

Schools Building Projects

9:00 pm

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 299: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if adequate provision has been made to meet the accommodation and other requirements at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; the timetable for such provisions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8319/05]

Photo of Mary HanafinMary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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My Department has recently approved an extension project for the school referred to by the Deputy. This extension project is currently in progress and when completed will result in the school being able to cater for up to 900 pupils as agreed with the school authorities. It is expected that this new accommodation will meet the demand for school places in the medium term.

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 300: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the progress to date in the provision of the extra facilities required at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; the extent to which these requirements are likely to be met in full; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8320/05]

Photo of Mary HanafinMary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I am pleased to inform the Deputy that construction is underway on an extension consisting of four classrooms, ancillary accommodation plus a two classroom autistic unit at the school in question. It is envisaged that the extension will be completed in 2006.

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 301: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the full extent of the extra places and facilities required at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; if she will be in a position to advance this project in the current year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8321/05]

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 312: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if adequate provision has been made to meet the accommodation and other requirements at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; the timetable for such provisions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8334/05]

Photo of Mary HanafinMary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 301 and 312 together.

Phase two of the extension project at the school to which the Deputy refers has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria, which were revised following consultation with the education partners. Progress on this project is being considered in the context of the school building programme. In this regard, the Deputy may 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 that will prepare tenders and move to construction during 2005. In addition, I have further approved the next phase of the programme under which 192 schools will be allocated funding to undertake projects, such as extensions and refurbishments. These projects will proceed immediately on a devolved basis.

I have also just recently announced further phases of the school building and modernisation programme to include: expansion of the number of schools and extension of the scope of the projects approved under the summer works scheme; schools that will be authorised to commence architectural planning. I plan to make further announcements shortly in relation to the schools building and modernisation programme that will include: schools whose projects will further progress through the design process; details of schools identified as suitable for construction under public private partnerships.

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 303: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the progress in relation to the provision of the extra facilities at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8325/05]

Photo of Mary HanafinMary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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An extension was completed in 2003 at the school referred to by the Deputy. There are currently no plans in my Department to provide further accommodation at this school at this time.

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 305: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the full schedule of facilities and accommodation being provided or proposed at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; if this is sufficient to meet the requirements of the growing population; if she can give an assurance that parents seeking enrolment for their children are likely to be accommodated in the near future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8327/05]

Photo of Mary HanafinMary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I am pleased to inform the Deputy that construction is well underway on a seven classroom extension at the school in question. It is envisaged that the extension will be completed in the latter half of 2005. Once the extension is completed the school will have 16 classrooms, general purpose room, library, staff room, general office, administration office, multipurpose room and learning support room.

Since construction began on the current extension, my Department has noted a dramatic demographic influx to the Sallins area. Projections indicate that a further eight classroom extension is required for the school.

On Thursday last, 3 March 2005, I announced a list of 43 schools that are being authorised to commence architectural planning for extensions and new schools with immediate effect. The school in question was one of the schools included in this announcement. The second extension, when completed, will result in a 24 classroom school. My Department will contact the board of management shortly about the proposed second extension at the school.

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 306: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the position in regard to the provision of further facilities at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; if she expects to be in a position to augment the project in the current year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8328/05]

Photo of Mary HanafinMary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The school referred to by the Deputy currently has an application with the Department for a major refurbishment project. The application has been examined by the school planning section of my Department and is currently being considered with other projects that might progress into architectural planning.

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 307: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the extent to which the project for the provision of extra facilities at a school (details supplied) has advanced; if she intends any further initiatives in this regard in the current year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8329/05]

Photo of Mary HanafinMary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I am pleased to inform the Deputy that construction work is well underway on the extension at the school referred to by the Deputy. It is envisaged that the extension will be completed in the latter half of 2005. My Department's school planning section has no request for any further facilities for this school.

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 308: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the position in regard to the provision of the extra facilities at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; the extent to which these facilities are likely to be adequate to meet requirements in the future; her proposal in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8330/05]

Photo of Mary HanafinMary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I am pleased to inform the Deputy that construction work is well underway on the new school referred to by the Deputy. It is envisaged that the school will be completed in the latter half of 2005. My Department's school planning section has no request for any additional facilities for this school.

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 309: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the progress in the provision of the extra facilities at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; if her Department has received the necessary additional information from the school authorities to progress this issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8331/05]

Photo of Mary HanafinMary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is at an early stage of architectural planning.

I recently announced details of 122 major school building projects that will progress to tender and construction phase over the next 12-15 months under the €3.4 billion multi-annual funding secured for the years 2005-09. I have also announced the next phase of the programme under which 191 schools will be allocated funding to undertake projects, such as extensions and refurbishments. These projects will proceed immediately, on a devolved basis, which means that the school authorities will control the planning and construction phases of the improvement works at their own school.

I have made a further announcement on 3 March 2005 detailing 43 school projects which are being authorised to proceed to architectural planning with immediate effect. Details of the 590 schools approved for funding under the summer works scheme were placed on my Department's web site on the 7 March.

I am anxious to ensure that a consistent flow of projects to tender and construction can be sustained into the future. I plan to make further announcements in the near future on the school building and modernisation programme, including details of those school projects which will further progress through the design process. All projects in architectural planning, including the school in question, will be considered as part of this process.

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