John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 369: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of primary schools that do not have a principal's office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34927/08]

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

It is the policy of my Department to provide for the delivery of a broad and balanced curriculum in schools and to support this with the provision of appropriate infrastructure. The provision of a principal's office for larger primary schools and general office/administration space for smaller primary schools is included in the design brief for new schools and/or renovation/extension school building projects. This is being done through the Multi-Annual School Building and Modernisation Programme and special schemes within available resources.

My Department has not compiled information on the number of schools that do not have a principal's office. Priority is given to improving conditions in schools on the basis of the published criteria for prioritising school building projects.

Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 370: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the position in relation to the proposed new extension to a school (details supplied) in County Cork; when he expects work to commence on the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34937/08]

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

The development of a building project for the school in question is at an early stage. The progression of all large scale building projects, including this project, from initial design stage through to construction phase will be considered in the context of my Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme. However, in light of current competing demands on the capital budget of the Department, it is not possible to give an indicative timeframe for the further progression of the project at this time.

Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 371: To ask the Minister for Education and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 460 of 8 May 2008 the progress made regarding the proposed new school building for a school (details supplied) in County Cork; when he expects work on the project to commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34939/08]

Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 373: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the proposed amalgamation of the existing post-primary schools in Bantry, County Cork; when he expects the amalgamation to be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34941/08]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 371 and 373 together.

The new buildings for the schools in the centre referred to by the Deputy are included in the second bundle of schools on my Departments Public Private Partnership Programme. The amalgamation of the post-primary schools in question has been agreed and the provision of a new building will facilitate the amalgamation.

The second Bundle of PPP Schools was handed over to the National Development Finance Agency (NDFA) in May 2008. Expressions of Interest were received by the NDFA on 27th June 2008 in response to the Contract Notice published in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU) on 20th May 2008. Subject to the planning process the buildings should be completed by mid 2011.

Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 372: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the proposed new extension to a school (details supplied) in County Cork; when he expects work on the project to commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34940/08]

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

The development of a building project for the school in question is at an early stage. The progression of all large scale building projects, including this project, from initial design stage through to construction phase will be considered in the context of my Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme.

However, in light of current competing demands on the capital budget of the Department, it is not possible to give an indicative timeframe for the further progression of the project at this time.

Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 374: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the proposed new school building for a school (details supplied) in County Cork; the number of meetings he has had with the principal or representatives of the board of management of the school; the content of those discussions; when he expects work to commence on this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34942/08]

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

The process of appointing a design team to the school building project referred to by the Deputy is at an advanced stage.

I have had no meetings with the Principal or representatives of the Board of Management of this school. The progression of all large scale building projects, including this project, will be considered in the context of my Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme. However, in light of current competing demands on the capital budget of the Department, it is not possible to give an indicative timeframe for the progression of this project at this time.