Written answers

Tuesday, 19 October 2010

Department of Education and Science

Schools Building Projects

9:00 am

Photo of John CreganJohn Cregan (Limerick West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 164: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if the technical report carried out by her Department on a school (details supplied) in County Limerick, has been completed and if it will now be published [37611/10]

Photo of Mary CoughlanMary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Officials from my Department met with the Trustees of the school to which the Deputy refers at the end of June 2010 to discuss the future viability of the school. At that meeting, it was agreed that a technical assessment of the school buildings would be carried out.

A report of the technical assessment has been prepared recently and is under consideration. This report will be made available to the school authority in due course.

Photo of John O'DonoghueJohn O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
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Question 165: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the progress made in providing additional grant aid for a proposed extension to a school (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37617/10]

Photo of Mary CoughlanMary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The school to which the Deputy refers has applied for large scale capital funding for an extension and refurbishment. The application has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria for large scale building projects and assigned a band rating of 3.

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, is available on the Department's website at www.education.ie.

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 2008, the school was approved funding for the replacement of a prefab for ASD facilities with a permanent structure. As the Deputy will be aware, I met a delegation from the school in June 2010. At this meeting, it was suggested to the school authority to proceed with the ASD project as a priority. Further works at the school can then be considered for progression in the context of available funds and competing demands on the capital budget of my Department.

Photo of John O'DonoghueJohn O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
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Question 166: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the progress made in providing a new national school at a location (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37618/10]

Photo of Mary CoughlanMary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The school to which the Deputy refers has applied for large scale capital funding for a new school. The application has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria for large scale building projects and assigned a band rating of 2.2.

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, is 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 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.

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