Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 374: To ask the Minister for Education and Science when he will be making a capital allocation for the building programme of a school (details supplied) in Dublin 11; when the school authorities including the board of management and principal will be informed; and the length of time the construction period will last. [20986/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

My Department funded a major building project for the school referred to by the Deputy and its adjacent boy's school in 2005 at a cost in excess of €2.5 million. The school in question shares the same site as the boy's school and the building project was to provide additional classroom and ancillary accommodation as well as refurbishment of some existing accommodation. My Department does not have a record of a further application for a major building project from this school.

Michael Kennedy (Dublin North, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 375: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the proposed building project at a school (details supplied) in County Dublin; the stage the project is at; the works carried out to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20990/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

As the Deputy will be aware, a Developing Areas Unit has been established in the Department of Education and Science to focus on the school accommodation needs of rapidly developing areas including Balbriggan. The particular emphasis in 2008 is on providing sufficient school places in developing areas including Balbriggan, while also showing the Government's commitment to delivering improvements in the quality of existing primary and post-primary school accommodation throughout the country. The Department is making significant additional primary school places available in Balbriggan for September 2008 via delivery of new school buildings for three existing schools. I understand that due to site restrictions it would prove difficult to expand further the school to which the Deputy specifically refers. However, the Department approved the provision of one additional mainstream classroom for September 2007 to cater for additional enrolments. Greenfield provision for this school will be considered in the context of the additional provision being made in the area and the Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme.