Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 525: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of primary and post-primary school building projects at stage one within his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9716/09]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 526: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of primary and post-primary school building projects at stage two within his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9717/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 525 and 526 together.

The stages of architectural planning referred to by the Deputy arise from my Department's design team procedures for the procurement of major capital projects. These are necessary to comply with Department of Finance guidelines which require that capital projects be fully designed prior to going to tender. They also ensure proper cost management of capital projects and facilitate compliance with statutory and public procurement requirements.

At present, there are five stages involved in the delivery of major school projects which reflects the Capital Works Management Framework developed by the Department of Finance.

The stages are as follows:

Stage 1 — Preliminary

Stage 2 — Design (which is divided into Stage 2a — Developed Sketch Scheme and

Stage 2b — Detailed Design)

Stage 3 — Tender Action, Evaluation and Award

Stage 4 — Construction

Stage 5 — Handover of Works and Final Account.

There are currently 46 major school building projects at stage 1. Of these, 29 are primary schools and 17 are post-primary schools.

There are currently 86 major school building projects at stage 2. Of these, 54 are primary schools and 32 are post-primary schools.

Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Question 527: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the reason for the omission of a school (details supplied) from the list of school building projects due to proceed in 2009; if his attention has been drawn to the health and safety report that showed up the critical nature of this school's situation and that the school requires immediate funding to proceed with the building project; his views on the health and safety upgrades necessary for this school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9725/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The project to which the Deputy refers is currently at an advanced stage of architectural planning.

The progression of all large scale building projects, including this project, from initial design stage through to construction 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 my Department, it is not possible to give an indicative timeframe for the progression of the project at this time.

I met with a deputation from the school last October when the school's situation was fully outlined. Individual school authorities are responsible in the first instance for health and safety issues relating to schools. Primary school authorities may use their annual minor works grant to deal with such issues. It is also open to the school to apply to the Planning and Building Unit of my Department for emergency works funding for capital works of an urgent nature.