1135 Mr. D. Carey asked the Minister for Education and Science if he has received proposals from the board of management of St. Joseph's secondary school, Tulla, County Clare regarding a green field site for the school. [22193/01]

No proposals regarding a green field site for the school have been received from the board of management of the school in question. However, the trustees of the school were informed recently that an extension to the school on the existing site has been agreed.

1136 Mr. D. Carey asked the Minister for Education and Science the criteria which his Department uses for establishing the need for a green field site for a new secondary school building; and the number of approvals of this nature which have been given in 1998, 1999 and to date. [22194/01]

The possible need for a school on a Greenfield site normally comes to the attention of my Department when a local authority is preparing a draft action plan for a developing area. Officials from my Department meet local authorities as necessary to identify and anticipate such school accommodation needs. My Department's general aim is to ensure that the school is provided only when the need has clearly emerged. The extent of existing school provision in the general area and the length of time it takes the area to mature are critical factors in determining when a new school should be provided.

In the case of an application for additional permanent accommodation-major refurbishment at an existing school the possibility of changing the extension-refurbishment project into a new school on a Greenfield site only comes into the equation on receipt of the stage 1 submission -site suitability, briefing and site report. The project is then examined from an architectural, educational and value for money point of view and the best possible option is decided upon.

1137 Mr. D. Carey asked the Minister for Education and Science if he has received an application from the Ennis Educate Together national school, Gort Road, Ennis, County Clare for a new building; and if so, the position on the application. [22195/01]

My Department has received an application for grant-aid towards the cost of a building project at the school in question. In view of the large volume of projects currently being dealt with, it is not possible at this stage to say when the matter can be progressed further.

1138 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress which has been made to provide a school hall, a lift and additional car parking at Mullingar community college, County Westmeath. [22253/01]

In relation to the proposed staff room and car park projects at Mullingar community college, County Westmeath, the Westmeath Vocational Education Committee have submitted an indicative cost plan for this project. This is now being assessed within the building unit of my Department and they will be in touch with the VEC in due course. In relation to the provision of a sports hall at the college, approval in principle has also been given for this project. My Department is currently preparing PE hall templates. These will standardise the construction of PE halls at second level schools and will reduce the architectural planning processes considerably. The templates are being piloted in four schools initially and are expected to be available in the first half of next year for generic use.

1139 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the situation regarding the provision of a new community college at Castlepollard, County Westmeath. [22254/01]

My Department is currently awaiting the submission of the combined stage 4/5 – detail design and bill of quantities – in relation to the provision of a new community college at Castlepollard, County Westmeath.

1140 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the situation concerning the provision of a new primary school at Coralstown, County Westmeath; and the projected timescale for the completion of this project. [22255/01]

Architectural planning for the provision of a new school at Coralstown is under way. It is not possible at this point to say when construction will commence. The school authorities will be informed of developments.

1141 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the proposed new school at Dysart national school, County Westmeath. [22256/01]

Architectural planning for the provision of a new three-classroom school at Dysart, Mullingar County Westmeath is under way. It is not possible at this point to say when construction will commence. The school authorities will be informed of developments.

1142 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science if an application for additional classroom space for Dalystown national school, County Westmeath, has been made to his Department; and if so, the projected timescale for the commencement of works. [22257/01]

Architectural planning for the provision of an extension to Dalystown national school is under way. It is not possible at this point to say when construction will commence. The school authorities will be informed of developments.

1143 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress which has been made in providing additional science laboratories and other facilities at Loreto College, Mullingar, County Westmeath. [22258/01]

The building unit of my Department is currently awaiting a stage 2 – outline sketch scheme – of my Department's design team procedures in relation to the provision of additional science laboratories and other facilities at Loreto College, Mullingar, County Westmeath.

1144 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress which has been made regarding the proposed extra science laboratories and other facilities at St. Mary's College, Mullingar, County Westmeath. [22259/01]

Regarding the proposed extra facilities at St. Mary's College, Mullingar, County Westmeath, my Department has received a combined stage 4/5 – detail design and bill of quantities. This is currently being examined by officials of the building unit who will be in contact with the school authorities in due course.

1145 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress which has been made regarding the proposed new gaelscoil at Ashe Road in Mullingar; if funding has been approved for this project; the estimated completion date for this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22260/01]

Architectural planning for the proposed new gaelscoil in Mullingar is under way. It is not possible at this point to say when construction will commence. The school authorities will be informed of developments.

1146 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress which has been made regarding the proposed extension to Sonna national school, County Westmeath; if an application has been received; the stage of the development; the estimated completion date for this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22261/01]

My Department has received an application for grant-aid towards the cost of an extension to Sonna national school, Mullingar. In view of the large volume of projects currently being dealt with, it is not possible to say when the matter can be progressed further, or when the completion date will be.

1147 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science if an application for a resource room at Loughnavalley national school, County Westmeath, has been approved; if so, the date of this approval; the estimated cost of this project; when a financial allocation will be approved for this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22262/01]

Architectural planning for the provision of an extension to Loughnavalley national school is under way. It is not possible at this point to say when construction will commence. The school authorities will be informed of developments.