Written Answers Nos. 93-100
93. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Education and Skills to outline the action he and his Department are taking to ensure that all unpaid charges are paid to colleges; his views on whether the present systems can be improved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2039/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThird level institutions are autonomous institutions and my Department does not have any function in their day to day operational affairs. The Governing Bodies and the management staff of the institutions are responsible for operational matters. Therefore, the collection and administration of the student contribution and tuition fees where a student is not eligible for funding under my Department's free fees schemes is a matter for individual third level institutions.
94. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will prioritise an early response and approval in respect of an application by a school (details supplied) in County Cork under the emergency works scheme. [2045/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe school referred to by the Deputy applied for funding under my Department’s Emergency Works Scheme for extensive works to the roof of the building. The scope of the works applied for are outside the terms of the Emergency Works Scheme. Works of this nature should be applied for under any future Summer Works Scheme.
In the interim the school authority have been advised that if they identify works that will address the problem in the short term they should submit an Emergency Works Application for these works only.
95. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he has received an application for capital funding for a school (details supplied); if he has considered the request; if he will include the provision of the school in a revised capital plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2046/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that the school referred to by the Deputy submitted an application for major capital works to my Department towards the end of 2016. My Department will consider the application and respond directly to the school authority as soon as the assessment process has been completed.
96. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he has received the tender report for the Maynooth education campus, Maynooth, County Kildare following the re-tendering of the project; if he has approved the recommended preferred tenderer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2049/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra111. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills to outline the progress to date in respect of the tendering process related to the provision of the proposed two new schools at Maynooth education campus, Moyglare Road, Maynooth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2205/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 96 and 111 together.
The delivery of the Maynooth Education Campus, Maynooth, Co. Kildare has been devolved to Kildare/Wicklow Education and Training Board (ETB). Tenders were received on 19th December 2016 and are currently being assessed by the ETB’s Design Team.
When the tender report is received from the ETB it will be reviewed my Department’s Planning and Building Unit. As soon as this review is completed my Department will be in contact with the ETB to progress the project as quickly as possible.
97. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the design team for a school (details supplied) has submitted its assessment of the changes that are required to tender documents for the project arising from changes introduced in public works contracts; if the report has been reviewed; when tenders will be invited for the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2050/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe building project for the school to which the Deputy refers is 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 statutory approvals have been obtained.
In September 2016, the Board of Management and its Design Team were requested to review the impact of the recently introduced changes to the Public Works Contracts (PWC) and to revert to my Department with an assessment of what, if any, additional works are required to bring the tender documents into line with those changes. The Design Team have confirmed that they are working on this report in parallel with the progression of the stage 2b documentation will submit the documentation to my Department shortly.
Upon receipt and review of this outstanding documentation my Department will revert to Board of Management with regard to the further progression of the project at that time.
98. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he has received the revised fully costed brief from the design team relating to a school (details supplied); if it has been reviewed and cleared by his Department; if the tender report has been submitted to enable the tender process to commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2051/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra101. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Skills when construction of a school (details supplied) will commence; the timeframe for the works, in view of the fact that Kildare County Council has granted planning permission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2061/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 98 and 101 together.
The major building project for the school referred to by the Deputies is 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 statutory approvals have been obtained.
The conditions of the Planning Permission required a change to the brief for the project. The Brief Change Request was received by my Department. However, on initial review it was found that the documents submitted were incomplete and further information was requested. This information was received last week and is under review.
Once the review is complete and a determination has been made on the Brief Change Request the Design Team will be in a position to finalise the Stage 2(b) Report. Upon receipt and review of this report my Department will revert to the school with regard to the further progression of the project at that time.
99. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he has received the tender report for a school (details supplied); if it has been reviewed and cleared by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2052/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe school to which the Deputy refers is at an advanced stage of the tender process for the provision of a new 32 classroom school and demolition of the existing buildings. The tender report for the project was recently submitted to the Department and is currently being reviewed.
When the review is complete my Department will revert to the school and its Design Team regarding next steps.
100. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 157 of 16 December 2016, when he expects to be in a position to accept the sufficient feasibility of the Irish-medium Aonad at a school (details supplied); if he will formally approve the go-ahead for the north Kildare Gaelcholáiste; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2055/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra118. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills to outline the extent to which plans remain on target to open a gaelcholáiste to serve the area of north Kildare in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2212/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 100 and 118 together.
Maynooth Community College opened in 2014 with an Irish-medium Aonad. It was stated that should the Aonad demonstrate sufficient viability after four years from its date of establishment, a Gaelcholáiste would be established.
As part of the November 2015 announcement on the new primary and post-primary schools to open in 2017 and 2018, and in view of the continued support for a Gaelcholáiste, it was confirmed that a Gaelcholáiste to serve the North Kildare area will open in 2019, subject to the continued viability of the Irish-medium Aonad at Maynooth Community College.
In this regard, my Department will continue to work closely with the Education and Training Board and An Foras Pátrúnachta in relation to the establishment of the Gaelcholáiste.
