Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 140: To ask the Minister for Education and Science when approval will be given by the National Development Finance Agency to a school (details supplied) in County Offaly to proceed with this post-primary school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11132/08]

Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 141: To ask the Minister for Education and Science when approval will be given by the National Development Finance Agency to a school (details supplied) in County Offaly to proceed with this post-primary school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11133/08]

Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 166: To ask the Minister for Education and Science when consent will be given to a school (details supplied) in County Offaly to proceed to apply for full planning permission in order that it can proceed with this post-primary school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11122/08]

Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 167: To ask the Minister for Education and Science when consent will be given to a school (details supplied) in County Offaly to proceed to apply for full planning permission in order that it can proceed with this post-primary school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11123/08]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 140, 141, 166 and 167 together.

My Department operates the Scheme of Investment Aid for the development of commercial horticulture. Under the new National Development Plan 2007-2013, circa €50m, has been earmarked for the Scheme. Under the first phase of this Scheme for 2008 a total of 208 applications were received. Approvals of grant aid of some €9m to support investments of some €22m were issued to 189 applicants in early February. It is anticipated that applications for the second phase of this Scheme in 2009 will be invited towards the end of 2008. Under the previous National Development Plan 2000-2006 grant aid of some €20m was paid out to producers to support investments of €57m in the commercial horticulture industry. This Scheme has been a catalyst for investment and growth and has assisted producers to upgrade and develop new production facilities and improve quality.

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 142: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of the sites designated for new schools under the Fingal model agreement that have been handed over to her Department for the purposes of new school buildings; the number of planning applications that have been submitted to the local authority concerned in respect of the new school building programme under this agreement; her views on whether the commitment given in September 2007 in respect of new schools under this agreement to be up and running by September 2008 will be in place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11018/08]

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

As the Deputy will be aware, the Programme for Government commits my Department to establishing a Developing Areas Unit to liaise with Local Authorities, to identify where new schools are needed and to ensure that these schools are delivered in the fastest possible timeframe. Initial work on establishing and assigning dedicated staff to the Unit began in the latter part of 2007 and it is now fully operational.

In terms of its work programme for 2008 in Fingal, the Developing Areas Unit is advancing the delivery of 9 new primary school projects which are planned to be in place for September 2008. Planning permission has been submitted in all cases. A notification of intention to grant has been received in all cases except Phoenix Park and Porterstown, where notifications are expected shortly. I announced the details of the individual projects on 1st February 2008 and the projects relating to the Fingal area specifically are: Skerries — Kelly's Bay — New 8 Classroom School; Swords — Applewood — New 8 Classroom School; Balbriggan — Castlelands — 2 New Schools — an 8 classroom & a 16 classroom; Phoenix Park — New Community Primary School — VEC, 8 classroom; Diswellstown — Porterstown — Relocation of Scoil Choilm — 16 classroom school; Lusk — Relocation of Rush/Lusk ET — 16 Classroom school; Tyrellstown — New 8 Classroom School; and Phibblestown — New Community Primary School — VEC, 8 classroom school.

A joint project steering group has been established with Fingal County Council to coordinate the acquisition of sites and to resolve any pre-planning issues. The focus at present is on finalising arrangements for sites needed for the 2008 school year. Due to commercial sensitivity I do not as a general rule provide specific details in advance of the conclusion of a purchase. Of course, once the sales have closed, this information can be released in the normal way.

Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 143: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the position in relation to a school (detail supplied) in County Wicklow; the position in relation to the €800,000 allocated to the school; if an acknowledgment will be given from her Department that the work on this project was conducted within its guidelines and confirmation that the board of management and the pupils of the school will not be penalised as a result of the time involved in the planning process; if she will provide a firm commitment to proceed with funding for the new school within an agreed timetable; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11027/08]

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

The project referred to by the Deputy is at an advanced stage of architectural planning. The further progression of the project through to construction phase, will be considered on an on-going basis in the context of my Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme.