Written answers

Tuesday, 27 January 2015

Department of Education and Skills

Schools Building Projects Status

Photo of Joanna TuffyJoanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

424. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a school extension project in respect of a school (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3258/15]

Photo of Jan O'SullivanJan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The major building project for the school referred to by the Deputy, is currently at an advanced stage of architectural planning. The project has been authorised to proceed to Stage 2B of Architectural Planning, which includes the applications for Planning Permission, Fire Cert and Disability Access Cert and the preparation of Tender Documents.

It is not possible to progress all projects within the Department's building programme to construction concurrently due to competing demands on the Department's capital budget. However, school building projects, including this project, which have not been included in the five year construction programme or included in the most recent announced list of projects, but which were previously initiated, will continue to be progressed to final planning stages in anticipation of the possibility of further funds being available to the Department in the future.

Photo of Dominic HanniganDominic Hannigan (Meath East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

425. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide an update on the building work of a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3287/15]

Photo of Jan O'SullivanJan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The major building project for the school to which the Deputy refers is currently at an advanced stage of Architectural Planning. The planning application has been submitted to the Local Authority and a decision is currently awaited. When the final grant of planning permission is received the project will then be progressed to construction.

Photo of Michael CreedMichael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

426. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide in tabular form, details of new school projects, classroom developments and buildings that have been completed, have commenced or have been authorised by her Department in Cork North West since 2011; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3308/15]

Photo of Jan O'SullivanJan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I wish to advise the Deputy that the information requested is not available on a constituency basis. However, I can advise that the information concerned is held on a County basis and the current status of all projects, including those in County Cork, may be viewed on my Department's website at www.education.ie and this is updated regularly throughout the year.

The Deputy will be aware that the 5 year School Plan announced in March 2012, together with the schools announced in June 2013 under the Government's "investment in Infrastructure & Jobs" package and the schools included in the 2015 construction programme, details the major school projects, including those for County Cork, that will commence construction over the duration of my Department's €2 billion capital investment programme (2012-2016). The primary aim at the core of my Department's construction programme is focussed on meeting demographic demands to ensure that every child will have access to a physical school place and that our school system is in a position to cope with increasing pupil numbers. In the case of County Cork, 43 school projects are listed to proceed to tender and construction over the duration of the programme.

For the Deputy's convenience a list is attached containing details of all County Cork major school building projects that have been completed in each of the past four years and the funding allocated in the case of each of these projects. As the Deputy will be aware, all publicly funded projects are subject to public procurement guidelines and a competitive tender process. In that context it is not possible to publish funding allocations until projects are completed.

In addition to these major projects, my Department also approves funding on an on-going basis for devolved projects under the Additional Accommodation Scheme in response to applications from schools for funding to meet an immediate accommodation requirement because of increased enrolments and where an additional teacher is being appointed. In addition, the Deputy will be aware of the funding provided under the Prefab Replacement Initiative to replace prefabs with permanent classroom and resource rooms accommodation. Details of schools approved, including those in County Cork, can also be found on my Department's website and are updated regularly.

My Department is currently analysing demographic data on a nationwide basis, including the County Cork area, to determine where additional school accommodation might be needed from 2015 onwards and to ensure that this is provided in a timely manner.

NEW SCHOOLS COMPLETED

-Roll No School Year
120354ACara Jnr (Special) School, Mayfield2014
220435ASt Joseph's NS & St John's NS, Kinsale2014
317609NRathcormac NS, Rathcormac2013
420006AGaelscoil Chloich na Coillte, Clonakilty2013
520310DCarrigaline ETNS, Carrigaline2013
681008WAshton Comprehensive School, Blackrock Road2013
713450FRushbrooke NS, Cobh2012
816746SBallygarvan NS, Ballygarvan2012
917667ESN Pádraig Naofa, Whitechurch2012
1019839RGaelscoil Uí Riordán, Ballincollig2012
1120001NGaelscoil Bheanntrai, Bantry2011
1220105CStar of the Sea Primary School, Passage West 2011
1376090GBantry Community College, Bantry2011


LARGE SCALE EXTENSIONS COMPLETED
-Roll No School Year
117600SSN na Scairte Leithe, Saleen, Cloyne, Midleton2014
219351K SN Cill Criodain, Ladysbridge2014
362690EScoil Mhuire, 2 Sydney Place, Wellington Road2014
491388SCarrigaline CS, Waterpark Road, Carrigaline2014
520106EScoil Nioclais, Frankfield, Grange2014
620335TScoil Phadraig Naofa, Rochestown2013
718279ASt. Mary's NS, Waterpark, Carrigaline2012

Photo of Noel CoonanNoel Coonan (Tipperary North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

427. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a building project in respect of a school (details supplied) in County Tipperary; the timeframe for completion of works; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3322/15]

Photo of Jan O'SullivanJan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The major building project for the school referred to by the Deputy, is currently at an advanced stage of Architectural Planning Stage 2b – Detailed Design which includes the applications for Planning Permission, Fire Cert and Disability Access Cert and the preparation of Tender Documents. All relevant statutory approvals have been obtained and the Stage 2b submission has been approved by my Department.

As the Deputy may be aware, on 18 December 2014 I announced details of 70 school projects which are scheduled to commence construction in 2015. The building project for the school in question was included in this announcement.

My Department has recently authorised the school to proceed to prequalify a list of contractors for this project. Following the completion of this process the school project will progress to tender and construction. Until the tender process is complete and a Contractor has been appointed it will not be possible to give a definitive timeframe for the completion of the construction works. However, the Board of Management as the client in this project will be kept fully informed of progress by their design team.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.