Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 339: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the approval and construction of a new national school in Ballygarven, County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34561/08]

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

The school to which the Deputy refers to has made an application to my Department for a new school building. A suitable site has been identified for the school in question. The site comprises of three plots of land with three separate vendors. Originally it was intended that my Department would acquire the required lands and negotiations were progressing on this basis. However earlier this year, the Patron of the school indicated that he was willing to acquire the lands directly. My officials subsequently met with the Patron to discuss the options open to advancing the proposed acquisition. At this point the Patron indicated that he was willing to acquire the lands subject to my Department giving a commitment in relation to the subsequent building project.

The progression of this project will be considered in the context of the capital budget available to my Department for school buildings generally.

In the meantime, my officials have agreed to meet with the school authorities to discuss and agree an approach to the immediate accommodation pressures arising.

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 340: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the status of the proposed development of an Irish language education support facility (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34562/08]

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

My Cabinet colleague, the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs and my predecessor Minister Hanafin announced in March 2007 that a support and development initiative for the Irish language under the aegis of An Chomhaire um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta will be located at Coláiste Íosagáin and that four additional staff will be assigned to An Chomairle for this purpose. My Department is in discussion with the Department of Finance on the grading of these posts.

A Coordinating committee made up of representatives from An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta, Údarás na Gaeltachta and Foras na Gaeilge has been set up to advise on cooperative elements of the overall work to be carried out.

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 341: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the financial provision his Department has made for extra costs that may be incurred in six school building projects being undertaken using the costs plus model as detailed in the media (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34563/08]

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

The tenders in respect of the six school building projects differ from the civil engineering projects referred to in the newspaper article cited by the Deputy in that they are not in fact based on the costs plus model. The school projects were tendered under the GDLA form of contract based on a fixed price model. As has been standard under this model of fixed price tendering, used by my Department, the contract sum includes a contingency sum equivalent to 2% of the tender amount. In my Department's experience, this level of contingency is usually sufficient to cover most eventualities.