Written answers

Tuesday, 19 January 2010

Department of Education and Science

Schools Building Projects

9:00 pm

Photo of Joe McHughJoe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 1097: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if he will respond to a safety report on a school (details supplied) in County Donegal; his views on whether this report illustrates the need for building work to commence at the school; when work will commence on the school; the amount of funding that has been assigned from his Department's budget to building works at this school for 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1605/10]

Photo of Batt O'KeeffeBatt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The school to which the Deputy refers has applied to my Department for major capital funding.

The application has been assessed in accordance with published prioritisation criteria for large scale 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 the 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 the Department's website.

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 the school building and modernisation programme. However, in view of the level of demand on the Department's capital budget, it is not possible to give an indicative timeframe for the progression of the project at this time.

My Department is in receipt of the safety report referred to by the Deputy. This report was commissioned by the school authorities and the issues raised are currently under consideration.

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