Schools in East Cork

Uimhir:213

To ask the Minister for Education and Science if he has received an application for emergency funding in order to carry out essential repairs on a school (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. – David Stanton.

*For WRITTEN answer on Thursday, 23rd April, 2009. Reference Number: 16072/09

Freagra

Minister Batt O’Keeffe

The school referred to by the Deputy submitted two applications for emergency funding to my Department in 2009. The first application relating to funding for special needs pupils has been approved and the school informed accordingly. The second application for works relating to roof repairs, heating upgrade, art room and toilet refurbishment is under consideration and the school management will be informed of the outcome in due course.

Uimhir:381

To ask the Minister for Education and Science his Department’s expenditure on rent for the current building and prefabs for a school (details supplied) in County Cork each year since its establishment; and if he will make a statement on the matter.- David Stanton.

* For WRITTEN answer on Tuesday, 7th April, 2009. Reference Number: 14485/09

Freagra

Minister Batt O’Keeffe

The Deputy will be aware that demand for additional accommodation in schools has risen significantly over the last number of years, with the appointment of 6,000 extra teachers in the primary sector alone since 2002. The overall policy goal is to ensure the highest standard of permanent accommodation for all schools. However, in the context of a rapidly increasing school population, the necessity to put additional accommodation in place in a short time frame, and competing pressure on the capital budget available to my Department, it is necessary to make use of temporary accommodation in order to meet accommodation needs in some circumstances.

Details for the school (MIdleton Gaelscoil) referred to by the Deputy are given in the attached tabular statement.

	Prefab	Building/Land	Total for year
1999	N/A	€4,230.77	€4,230.77
2000	NA	€13,343.42	€13,343.42
2001	N/A	€16,079.96	€16,079.96
2002	N/A	€20,160.00	€20,160.00
2003	N/A	€40,000.00	€40,000.00
2004	NA	€63,333.32	€63,333.32
2005	N/A	€72,666.64	€72,666.64
2006	€4,298.51	€78,000.00	€82,298.51
2007	€18,572.50	€85,333.33	€103,905.83
2008	€41,890.20	€89,000.00	€130,890.20
2009	€34,920.60	€46,500.00	€81,420.60

Uimhir:13

To ask the Minister for Education and Science if his Department has conducted research into the projected enrolment requirements for second level schools in Midleton, County Cork for the next six to eight years; if he will make these figures available; his plans to increase the number of second level school places in Midleton in the near future; and if he will make a statement on the  matter. – David Stanton.

For ORAL answer on Thursday, 26th February, 2009. Reference Number: 7958/09

Freagra

Minister Batt O’Keeffe

The Forward Planning Section of my Department is currently identifying areas where significant additional accommodation will be required at primary and post-primary level for 2009 and onwards. This involves detailed consideration of factors such as population growth, demographic trends, current and projected enrolments, recent and planned housing developments and the capacity of existing schools to meet demand for places. As a matter of course, there is on-going liaison between my Department and local authorities to establish the location scale and pace of any proposed major housing developments and their possible implications for school provision.

As part of the Middleton Special Local Area Plan, the Local Authority has, on advice from my Department, made appropriate zonings for primary and post primary schools to meet the future educational requirements of the area.

Having analysed the demographic statistics in the Midleton area, my Department has found that there is no requirement for a new post-primary school in the short term based on current primary school enrolments. However, my Department is keeping the situation under review, including a proposal for the future development of up to 2,500 houses in the area.

My Department is liaising with Cork County Council with regard to the timing of future developments and the decision as to when a new post-primary school will be required in Midleton will be based on the rate and pace of development and the feasibility of extending the current schools in the area.Progress on the development of additional schools together with any applications for capital funding from existing providers will be considered for progression in the context of my Department’s School Building and Modernisation programme.

Uimhir:1638

To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of times officials from his Department met with Cork County Council officials in 2008 in relation to the provision of new schools in the Midleton and east Cork area, in particular a new second level school; and if he will make a statement on the matter.- David Stanton.

For WRITTEN answer on Tuesday, 27th January, 2009.
Reference Number: 2456/09

FreagraMinister Batt O’Keeffe

Officials from the Forward Planning Section of the Department met with Cork County Council Officials once in 2008 to discuss general issues in relation to the Draft County Development Plan. However, the Forward Planning Section of the Department made submissions during 2008 to both the Draft County Development Plan and the Draft Midleton Area Development Plan which outlined the need for an additional post primary school in the area referred to by the Deputy should the population grow to the levels projected in the draft Plans. The Forward Planning Section will continue to liaise with the County Council in this regard.

Uimhir:141

To ask the Minister for Education and Science further to a letter from this Deputy in relation to provision of funding for an extra prefabricated building for a school (details supplied) in County Cork; the progress that has been made in regard to this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter.- David Stanton.

* For WRITTEN answer on Thursday, 3rd July, 2008.

Reference Number: 26366/08

Freagra

A reply to the letter to which the Deputy refers to has been forwarded to the Deputy’s office this week outlining the position in relation to funding for the school to which the Deputy refers to.

It is not possible on this occasion to fund the request for the extra accommodation, as sanction has not been given for the extra teacher for the school to which the Deputy refers to, for the coming school year.

It is of course open to the school to apply for funding in 2009, should sanction for the extra teacher be given, and a letter to this effect has issued to the school authorities.

Uimhir:32

To ask the Minister for Education and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 97 of 9 April 2008, if his Department will accept the offer of a site for a new premises for a school (Gaelscoil, details supplied) in County Cork; if so, when he expects building works on the new school to begin; if not, his plans to rectify the current accommodation problems suffered by the school and its students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. – David Stanton.For ORAL answer on Thursday, 3rd July, 2008.

Reference Number: 26309/08

FreagraMinister for Education and Science (Batt O’Keeffe, T.D.)

As part of the Programme for Government, a Developing Areas Unit was set up recently in my Department to focus on the school accommodation needs of rapidly developing areas, including the area to which the Deputy refers. The main emphasis in 2008 is on providing sufficient school places in these developing areas, as well as delivering improvements in the quality of existing primary and post-primary school accommodation throughout the country.

In this context, the status of all schools in the area referred to by the Deputy are being assessed. The school referred to by the Deputy is being included in this assessment.

On the matter of the offer of the new site, I am pleased to inform the Deputy that following a technical examination of the two acre site in question, my officials wrote to the local developer requesting contract documents. A reply is awaited.

As an interim measure while the school are awaiting their permanent building, my Department has sanctioned the rental of temporary premises and accommodation in order for the school to operate.

As is the case with all large capital projects currently on hand within the Unit, their progression will be considered in the context of the multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme.

Uimhir:309

To ask the Minister for Education and Science the forward planning that his Department has carried out in relation to provision of primary school places in Youghal, County Cork; the number of primary school pupils enrolled in the three primary schools in Youghal; the projected number that will be enrolled in each of the schools for each of the next three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. – David Stanton.* For WRITTEN answer on Tuesday, 24th June, 2008.

Reference Number: 24379/08

Freagra

Minister for Education and Science (Batt O’Keeffe, T.D.)The number of primary school pupils enrolled in the three primary schools in Youghal for the current academic year is 796. Forward Planning Section of my Department is in the process of identifying the areas where significant additional accommodation will be required at primary and post-primary level for 2009 and onwards.

Factors under consideration include population growth, demographic trends, current and projected enrolments, recent and planned housing developments and capacity of existing schools to meet demand for places. Having considered these factors decisions will be taken on the means by which emerging needs will be met within an area.

Primary accommodation requirements in Youghal area will be considered in this context.

Uimhir:89 , For ORAL answer on Wednesday, 9th April, 2008.

To ask the Minister for Education and Science if her Department has carried out an analysis into the projected number of students who will need to be accommodated in second level schools in east Cork over the next eight years; her plans to increase the number of places in second level schools in the short, medium and long term; and if she will make a statement on the matter. – David Stanton.

Freagra

Minister for Education and Science (Mary Hanafin, T.D.)

Forward Planning Section of my Department is in the process of identifying the areas where significant additional accommodation will be required at primary and post-primary level for 2009 and onwards.

Factors under consideration include population growth, demographic trends, current and projected enrolments, recent and planned housing developments and capacity of existing schools to meet demand for places. Having considered these factors decisions will be taken on the means by which emerging needs will be met within an area.

Post-primary accommodation requirements in the east Cork area will be considered in this context.

Uimhir: 344, For WRITTEN answer on Tuesday, 8th April, 2008.

To ask the Minister for Education and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 153 of 13 March 2008, if her attention has been drawn to the need to supply extra accommodation to schools (details supplied) in County Cork in view of the fact that both schools are currently operating at full capacity and may have to refuse students entry in the next school year; the current enrolment of both schools; the current capacity of both schools; her plans in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

– David Stanton.

Freagra

Minister for Education and Science (Mary Hanafin, T.D.)

As the Deputy may be aware, in 2007 a Developing Areas Unit was set up in my Department to focus on the school accommodation needs of rapidly developing areas including the area to which the Deputy refers. The main emphasis in 2008 is on providing sufficient school places in these developing areas, as well as delivering improvements in the quality of existing primary and post-primary school accommodation throughout the country.

In this context, the issue of primary and post-primary places in the area in question and the status of these projects in particular are currently being assessed. As is the case of all large capital projects currently on hand within the Developing Areas Unit, progression of these projects will be considered in the context of the multi-annual School Building and Modernisation programme.

The current enrolments of the schools to which the Deputy refers are 540 and 474 respectively and both schools are operating at full capacity. Both schools have applied for additional accommodation to facilitate increased enrolments. Contact has been made with the school authorities in order to arrange the provision of additional temporary accommodation where possible for next September.

Uimhir: 783, For WRITTEN answer on Wednesday, 2nd April, 2008.

To ask the Minister for Education and Science if she or officials from her Department have approached Educate Together with a view to establishing a school in the east Cork area; her position in relation to same; and if she will make a statement on the matter.- David Stanton.

Freagra

Minister for Education and Science (Mary Hanafin, T.D.)

In the context of establishment of schools, the New Schools Advisory Committee (NSAC) assesses all applications for new school recognition. The NSAC is an independent advisory group established to process applications for the recognition of new primary schools and to make recommendations to the Minister for Education and Science. I expect to be in a position to make an announcement on the outcome of all applications to NSAC, towards the end of April.

I am informed that Educate Together has applied to the NSAC to establish a school in East Cork, however, I’m not aware of any direct approach by my Department to Educate Together regarding the establishment of a school in the area referred to.

Uimhir 153, * For WRITTEN answer on Thursday, 13th March, 2008.

To ask the Minister for Education and Science if her Department has recently received letters from schools (details supplied) in County Cork regarding the need to provide an extension to both schools in the immediate term and to provide new buildings for both schools in the not too distant future; and if she will make a statement on the matter.- David Stanton.

Freagra

Minister for Education and Science (Mary Hanafin, T.D.)

My Department has received correspondence from the schools to which the Deputy refers in regard to the need for additional accommodation. Progress on all applications for major capital works is being considered in the context of the Department’s multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme.

Uimhir:159, * For WRITTEN answer on Thursday, 6th March, 2008.

To ask the Minister for Education and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 161 of 28 February 2008, regarding the allocation of a band two rating to a school, the subdivision or subset in which the school has been included; her views on whether the school meets the criteria of band 1.1 rating; if not the criteria of band 1.1 the school does not meet; and if she will make a statement on the matter.- David Stanton.

Freagra

Minister for Education and Science (Mary Hanafin, T.D.)

The application from the school to which the Deputy refers was assessed as a band 2.2. Band 2.2 constitutes a school with a deficit of mainstream accommodation which constitutes a substantial and significant proportion of the school’s overall accommodation needs, while the condition of the existing accommodation is adequate.

As the Deputy may be aware a Developing Areas Unit was set up in the Department of Education and Science to focus on the school accommodation needs of rapidly developing areas including Midleton. The main emphasis in 2008 is on providing sufficient school places in these developing areas, as well as delivering improvements in the quality of existing primary and post-primary school accommodation throughout the country.

In this context, the status of the project to which the Deputy refers will be re-assessed and banded according. The project will be considered in the context of the school building and modernisation programme.

Uimhir:161, * For WRITTEN answer on Thursday, 28th February, 2008.

To ask the Minister for Education and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 187 of 21 February 2008, the band rating of the school (details supplied) in County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. – David Stanton.

Freagra

Minister for Education and Science (Mary Hanafin, T.D.)

The application from the school to which the Deputy refers has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria for large scale building projects and has been assigned a Band 2 rating.

Uimhir: 354, * For WRITTEN answer on Tuesday, 26th February, 2008.

To ask the Minister for Education and Science if her Department has received an application to extend a school (details supplied)in County Cork; the progress that has been made with same.- David Stanton.

Freagra

Minister for Education and Science (Mary Hanafin, T.D.)

The Department is in receipt of an application for capital funding from the school to which the Deputy refers. The application has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria for large scale building projects. Progress on the project is being considered in the context of the multi annual School Building and Modernisation Programme.

Uimhir: 187, * For WRITTEN answer on Thursday, 21st February, 2008.

To ask the Minister for Education and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 2619 of 30 January 2008, the person who is carrying out the assessment of demographic trends and housing developments; when her Department expects to receive this information; and if she will make a statement on the matter. – David Stanton.

Freagra

Minister for Education and Science (Mary Hanafin, T.D.)

I can confirm that the Department is in receipt of an application for major capital funding from the school to which the Deputy refers. The application has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria for large scale building projects and has been assigned a band rating.

Assessment of demographic trends and housing developments are part of normal internal procedures carried out by the Department in processing an application. Progress on individual projects is considered in the context of the multi annual School Building and Modernisation Programme commensurate with the band rating assigned to it and the available financial resources.

Uimhir: 132, For ORAL answer on Wednesday, 20th February, 2008.

To ask the Minister for Education and Science when the application for an extension for a school (details supplied) in County Cork was first received by her Department; the progress that has been made in dealing with this application since it was made; and if she will make a statement on the matter.- David Stanton.

Freagra

Minister for Education and Science (Mary Hanafin, T.D.)

The application from the school referred to by the Deputy was received in 2003 and has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria for large scale projects. The long term projected staffing figure has also been agreed. Further progression of this project will be considered in the context of my Department’s multi annual School Building and Modernisation Programme.

Uimhir: 160, For ORAL answer on Wednesday, 20th February, 2008.

To ask the Minister for Education and Science the progress that has been made in the provision of a new building for a school (details supplied) in County Cork.- David Stanton.

Freagra

Minister for Education and Science (Mary Hanafin, T.D.)

The project to which the Deputy refers to is at early architectural planning. Officials from my Department have requested a Stage 2(a) submission; Developed Sketch Design, on receipt of a date for receipt of this submission a date for a review meeting will be arranged. Progression of all projects to tender and construction will be considered in the context of my Department’s multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme.

Uimhir: 283, 284, * For WRITTEN answer on Wednesday, 6th February, 2008.

To ask the Minister for Education and Science further to Parliamentary Question No 1079 of 30 January 2008 the projected enrolment trends for the primary schools (details supplied) in east Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. – David Stanton.

To ask the Minister for Education and Science further to Parliamentary Question No 549 of 26 June 2007, the projected enrolment trends for second level schools (details supplied) in east Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter.-David Stanton.

Freagra

Minister for Education and Science (Mary Hanafin, T.D.)

I propose to take questions 4234/08, 4235/08 together.

I wish to advise the Deputy that the information requested is not readily available. However, if the Deputy has a query to a specific school officials from the Department’s Planning and Building Unit will be in a position to advise.

Uimhir: 2619, * For WRITTEN answer on Wednesday, 30th January, 2008.

To ask the Minister for Education and Science if her Department has examined the possibility of financing the construction of a new Gaelscoil (details supplied) in Midleton, County Cork in view of the fact that a site is available and that the school has a pressing need for a new building; and if she will make a statement on the matter.- David Stanton.

Minister for Education and Science (Mary Hanafin, T.D.)

While an application for capital funding towards the provision of new school building has been received from the school authority referred to by the Deputy, the Deputy may be aware that the school authority and a private construction firm without the direct involvement of my Department were involved in an initiative to build a 16 classroom school on land owned by the developer at no cost to the school or the Department.

The Department has not been involved in the design of the school nor has capital funding been provided in respect of the project. However following a recent communication from the private construction firm I understand that the proposal to construct a new school is changed to an offer of a site.

In order to progress the application an assessment of projected enrolment trends, demographic trends and housing developments in the area will be required in order to determine the long term projected staffing figure on which the school’s accommodation needs will be based. Once the long term projection has been determined and agreed with the school authorities the required building project will be considered in the context of the multi annual School Building and Modernisation programme.