Written answers

Tuesday, 11 March 2008

Department of Education and Science

Schools Building Projects

8:00 pm

Photo of John O'MahonyJohn O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 410: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the way in which the placing of a school on the schools building programme is determined; the procedures followed in this regard; the personnel involved in these decisions; her role and that of Members of Dáil Éireann; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10448/08]

Photo of Mary HanafinMary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The priority rating of each individual building project is established in accordance with the Criteria for Prioritising Large Scale Projects (Primary and Post-primary) which is available on my Department's website at www.education.ie. In accordance with the criteria set down, each project is allocated to an appropriate priority band rating on the basis of objective criteria. A review of the criteria for prioritising large-scale projects was undertaken in consultation with the Education Partners in early 2004 to ensure that the criteria have the optimum precision and are fully tuned to meeting the priority accommodation needs of primary and post-primary schools. In general the feedback from the Education Partners to the review has been positive. The revised criteria have been seen as bringing greater clarity and focus to the system. The amended criteria are applied to all projects that proceed to tender and construction.

The number of building projects under consideration can change on a day to day basis as new applications are received and existing applications are progressed in my Department. The Deputy will appreciate that this investment must continue to be targeted using the published prioritisation criteria. Details of projects to move forward under the programme will be published as and when they are ready to be advanced in the context of capital expenditure requirements.

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