Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 253: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding an application for an extension to a school (details supplied) in Dublin 16; if her attention has been drawn to the continuous addition of prefabs to accommodate the expanding school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27307/10]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 257: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the reason for the delay in sanctioning the construction of an extension for a school (details supplied) in Dublin 16; if her attention has been drawn to the need for an extension to be constructed in view of the increasing numbers of students; if her further attention has been drawn to the possibility of the recurrence of subsidence in the main school building which may necessitate classes being moved from the main school building; and if she will prioritise the construction of the extension in view of the urgent need. [27400/10]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 253 and 257 together.

I can confirm that the school to which the Deputy refers has made an application to my Department for large scale capital funding. The application has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria for large scale building projects and assigned a band 2 rating. Information in respect of the current school building programme along with all assessed applications for major capital works, including the project referred to by the Deputy, is now available on my Department's website at ww.education.ie.

The priority attaching to individual projects is determined by published prioritisation criteria, which were formulated following consultation with the Education Partners. There are four band ratings under these criteria, each of which describes the extent of accommodation required and the urgency attaching to it. Band 1 is the highest priority rating and Band 4 is the lowest. Documents explaining the band rating system are also available on my Department's website.

The progression of all large scale building projects, including this project, from initial design stage through to construction phase will be considered in the context of my Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme. However, in light of current competing demands on the capital budget of the Department, it is not possible to give an indicative timeframe for the progression of the project at this time. My Department has no record of receiving correspondence from the school concerning subsidence in the main school building. On receipt of such information my Department will consider the school's needs.