Written answers

Wednesday, 10 November 2010

Department of Education and Science

Schools Building Projects

9:00 pm

Photo of Michael KennedyMichael Kennedy (Dublin North, Fianna Fail)
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Question 113: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide a progress report on the extension of a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41796/10]

Photo of Mary CoughlanMary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The school referred to by the Deputy was authorised earlier this year to tender for the appointment of a design team.

The Board of Management has finalised its assessment of the tenders received and unless unforeseen issues arise the appointment process is expected to be completed shortly. The design team, once appointed, will then commence work on stage 1 of architectural planning.

Photo of Michael KennedyMichael Kennedy (Dublin North, Fianna Fail)
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Question 114: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide a progress report on the new school building for an organisation (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41798/10]

Photo of Mary CoughlanMary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The project to which the Deputy refers is at an advanced stage of the tender process.

Subject to no issues arising, it is anticipated that the project will progress to construction in the near future.

Photo of Michael KennedyMichael Kennedy (Dublin North, Fianna Fail)
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Question 115: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide a progress report on an extension for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41801/10]

Photo of Mary CoughlanMary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The school to which the Deputy refers has applied to my Department 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 2.1. 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.

Photo of Michael KennedyMichael Kennedy (Dublin North, Fianna Fail)
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Question 116: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide a progress report on the provision of a second level school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41802/10]

Photo of Mary CoughlanMary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The most recent projections produced by my Department are forecasting an increase in the projected enrolments at post-primary level in the coming years. It is within this context that the Forward Planning Section of my Department is in the process of analysing all areas in the country in order to determine the level of additional provision which will be required at both primary and post primary level up to 2017. Overall post-primary requirements in the area to which the Deputy refers will be considered as part of this process and an appropriate long term accommodation solution to the needs of the area will be considered in the context of my Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme.

Photo of Michael KennedyMichael Kennedy (Dublin North, Fianna Fail)
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Question 117: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide a progress report on the extension of a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41803/10]

Photo of Mary CoughlanMary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I can confirm that in May 2008, my Department offered the school to which the Deputy refers, an all-in devolved grant for the provision of an 80m2 mainstream classroom. I understand the project was completed in July 2009.

In June 2010, the school was approved funding to build a further 80m2 mainstream classroom and three 16m2 learning support rooms.

The school subsequently requested that the funding be increased to permit the construction of additional accommodation to include two mainstream classrooms, principal's office, parents' room, staffroom, toilets and cleaner's store. The school was advised in a letter in July 2010 that the Department was not in a position to grant the additional funding sought in this case. However, the school were advised to complete and submit a formal application for Grant Aid for Major Capital Works for the additional accommodation sought and to proceed with the works approved in June. To date the school has neither submitted the application nor drawn down the significant funding approved in June 2010.

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