Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 331: To ask the Minister for Education and Science when her Department officials will visit proposed sites for a new school (details supplied) in County Wexford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5420/08]

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

I can confirm to the Deputy that the Department is in receipt of an application for large scale capital funding from the school to which he refers. The project has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria for large scale building projects and assigned a Band 2 rating. Progress on the proposed works is being considered in the context of the multi-annual School Building and Modernisation programme consistent with that Band rating.

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 332: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the position of the application for a school extension at a school (details supplied) in County Wexford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5421/08]

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

I can confirm that my Department is in receipt of an application for major capital funding from the school to which the Deputy refers. The application has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria for large scale building projects and has been assigned a band 2 rating. Progress on the project in question will be considered in the context of my Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme consistent with its Band Rating.

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 333: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the schools that benefitted from the school modernisation programme each year since the beginning of this programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5422/08]

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

The information sought by the Deputy is not readily available, however, I am satisfied that existing school infrastructure has been dramatically improved in recent years. During the period of the last National Development Plan 2000-2006 my Department accelerated the school building programme with record levels of investment and the streamlining of delivery systems. An aggregate total of well over €2.6 billion was invested in upgrading existing school infrastructure and providing new school accommodation at both first and second-level. This programme delivered over 7,800 building projects in addition to investment in site purchases; the annual minor works grant to all primary schools, science and technology initiatives, contingency works and grants for the purchase of furniture and equipment including improving equipment needed for new technologies and ICT.

Innovations in the delivery of school buildings such as Generic Repeat Designs and the use of the Design and Build model ensure that new school buildings are delivered in the fastest time-frame possible. My Department also adopted a policy of devolving much greater authority to local school management boards to manage and deliver smaller building projects, thereby freeing my Department to concentrate on the larger scale projects. My Department has improved forward planning through greater cooperation between the Department of Education and Local Authorities and the publication of 10-year Area Development Plans.

The budget for 2007 was the first year of the roll out of the new NDP 2007-2013 which will involve an investment of over €4.5 billion in school building infrastructure over the coming years to ensure that school places are available where needed. This investment will be the largest in the history of the State and will enable my Department to continue to take a proactive approach to the provision of modern school accommodation particularly in developing areas and the upgrade of existing accommodation. Construction in 2007 alone involved over 1500 building projects which will deliver over 700 classrooms to provide permanent accommodation for over 17,500 pupils, mainly in developing areas. The main focus of the school building programme for 2008 and subsequent years is to deliver additional capacity in the rapidly developing areas. I am conscious of the need to provide more school places quickly and these are being delivered.

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 334: To ask the Minister for Education and Science her plans for secondary education in an area (details supplied) in County Wexford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5423/08]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 335: To ask the Minister for Education and Science her plans for primary education in an area (details supplied) in County Wexford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5424/08]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 337: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if she will meet with the principal and chairman of the board of management of a school (details supplied) in County Wexford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5426/08]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 334, 335 and 337 together.

In accordance with my recent announcement, a new 8 classroom primary school is being provided, subject to Planning Permission, in the area referred to by the Deputy, to open in September 2008. The school is capable of being expanded to 16 classrooms and the timing of the delivery of this expansion will be decided in the context of an updated review by my officials of the demand for primary accommodation in the town which will be undertaken over the coming months. Contracts for Sale for the primary school site have been signed and it is expected that the sale will close shortly.

A review of post primary school provision in the Enniscorthy area is currently at an advanced stage and,when completed, decisions will be taken regarding the future development of post-primary education facilities in the area and officials will be in contact with the relevant schools, as appropriate.