Written answers

Tuesday, 24 January 2012

Department of Education and Skills

Schools Refurbishment

9:00 pm

Photo of Robert TroyRobert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 207: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the summer works programme will go ahead in 2012; and if so, if a school in County Westmeath can secure funding to acquire land in the interest of safety for additional parking. [3697/12]

Photo of Ruairi QuinnRuairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

As the Deputy is aware, the Government's Medium Term Infrastructure and Capital Investment Framework, which was published on 10th November last, sets out the demographic challenge facing the education system. Total enrolment in both primary and post-primary schools is expected to grow by almost 70,000 between now and 2018 - over 45,000 at primary level and 25,000 at post primary - and will continue to grow up to at least 2024 at post-primary. In view of the very real need to ensure that every child has access to a school place, the delivery of new schools, together with extension projects, will be the main focus for capital investment in schools in the coming years. In the context, therefore, of the financial constraints imposed by the need to prioritise available funding for the provision of school accommodation, it is not possible for me to advance with a summer works programme this year.

Photo of Charlie McConalogueCharlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 208: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding an application for an extension and refurbishment to a school (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3712/12]

Photo of Charlie McConalogueCharlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 209: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the band rating assigned to a school (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3714/12]

Photo of Ruairi QuinnRuairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 208 and 209 together.

The school to which the Deputy refers applied to my Department for major capital works. This application was assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria and was assigned a band rating of 1.2. A major project for the school was included in the Ministerial Announcement on 24th January 2011 to progress into Architectural Planning.

As this school is located on a split site, the proposal for the development on the existing site involved detailed discussions between the school authorities and the Local Authority regarding traffic management and other issues. These discussions have recently been concluded and a report on the matter has been received from the school. This report is being examined by my Department which I expect to be completed shortly. My Department will be in further contact with the school authority at that point.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.