Written answers

Tuesday, 20 October 2009

Department of Education and Science

Schools Building Projects

9:00 pm

Photo of James ReillyJames Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Question 558: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if he will confirm that the proposed new school (details supplied) in County Dublin will be constructed, opened and funded in the timeframe already indicated and committed to by him; if the required capital funding is available and ring fenced for this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36658/09]

Photo of Batt O'KeeffeBatt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The school is being procured on a design and build basis, in which tenders are requested from contractors based on an initial design.

The tender process for the building project is nearing completion. A letter of intent for the project issued to the preferred bidder in July. This requires the preferred bidder to respond with certain important information. There is process of due diligence to be undertaken by County Dublin VEC, as client and the Department, as funding authority before a decision can be made to place a contract. It is expected that the VEC will be shortly in a position to make a decision on the award of the contract.

Following on from award of the contract, the successful design and build contractor will apply for planning permission to the local authority. Subject to a successful planning application, it is envisaged that construction of the school will commence shortly afterwards.

Photo of Phil HoganPhil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Question 560: To ask the Minister for Education and Science when finance will be sanctioned in respect of new school accommodation (details supplied) in County Carlow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36696/09]

Photo of Batt O'KeeffeBatt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I can confirm that the school to which the Deputy refers has made an application to my Department for large scale capital funding. The application has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria for large scale building projects and assigned a band 2 rating.

Information in respect of the current school building programme along with all assessed applications for major capital works, including the project referred to by the Deputy, are now available on my Department's website at www.education.ie.

The priority attaching to individual projects is determined by published prioritisation criteria, which were formulated following consultation with the education partners. There are four band ratings under these criteria, each of which describes the extent of accommodation required and the urgency attaching to it. Band 1 is the highest priority rating and band 4 is the lowest. Documents explaining the band rating system are also available on my Department's website.

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 progression of the project at this time.

In the interim funding is available to schools through various schemes such as the summer works scheme, the emergency works scheme and additional accommodation scheme. The school is question received funding under the summer works scheme in 2006 for a complete electrical upgrade of its building. It also recently completed a boiler replacement and associated works, which was funded under the emergency works scheme 2009.

Photo of Joan BurtonJoan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 561: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to comments made (details supplied) with respect to a school in Dublin 15; if he will clarify these comments in view of his reply to a parliamentary question of 6 October 2009; if he will confirm the timetable outlined by the Minister for Finance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36704/09]

Photo of Batt O'KeeffeBatt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The project to which the Deputy refers is at an early stage of architectural planning. This project has a band 1.1 rating and includes the provision of an enhanced community facility in conjunction with Fingal County Council.

The developed sketch scheme has been received by my Department and in order to avoid unnecessary delays, officials from my Department intend meeting with the school's design team to facilitate clearance of this stage.

If the developed sketch scheme is found to be in order, approval will be given to the school to seek planning permission. The project will proceed to tender as soon as planning permission has been obtained. As the timeframe for securing planning permission cannot be guaranteed, it is not possible at this time to be certain as to when this project will proceed to construction. However, assuming that planning permission is granted under the normal conditions, it is intended that the project will be on site at the earliest possible date.

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