Derek Nolan (Galway West, Labour)
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310. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills in view of a school (details supplied) agreeing in principle to a schedule of accommodation, if he will confirm that it will be able to make changes to the internal design of the new accommodation at design stage; if not, if he will send out a team of officials to visit the site as a proper internal design is imperative to the functioning of the school and this has not been agreed to in full; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46377/13]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I wish to confirm that the accommodation brief for the school, referred to by the Deputy, has been finalised and agreement in principle for this brief was received from the school authority concerned in October last.

I also wish to advise the Deputy that the school will have an opportunity at the Design Stage of the architectural planning process to input to the internal design layout of the proposed development, within the overall extent of the accommodation brief approved for the school in question.

My Department's officials will be in further contact with the school in relation to the next stage of the architectural planning process.

Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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311. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding an application for capital improvement works to a school (details supplied) in County Laois; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46383/13]

Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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312. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the funding provided for capital improvement works and a brief description of the works carried out in respect of a school (details supplied) in County Laois in each of the last ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46384/13]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 311 and 312 together.

I can confirm that my Department has received an application from the school, referred to by the Deputy, for funding to provide alternative permanent accommodation to meet its long-term requirements. Officials from my Department will be in contact shortly with the school authorities to work through the details of their proposal and how best to meet the school's needs. In the interim, my Department has recently approved funding for classroom accommodation to meet the school's immediate needs.

I can also confirm to the Deputy that funding amounting to €30,612.68 was allocated to the school under the 2005 Summer Works Scheme for roof works.

In addition, my Department has also allocated funding to the school in question for furniture and equipment on an ongoing basis in response to requirements.

Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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313. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the fact that as of the 9 October 2013 a school (details supplied) in County Tipperary has been granted full planning permission for the refurbishment, demolition and erection of new classrooms; that the design team is now working towards its completion of Stage 2B; the date on which funding will be allocated for this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46389/13]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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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. This stage includes the applications for Fire Safety Certificate and Disability Access Certificate and the preparation of tender documents. In accordance with Design Team Procedures, the design team recently informed my Department that Planning Permission has been granted.

Due to competing demands on the Department's capital budget imposed by the need to prioritise the limited funding available for the provision of additional school accommodation to meet increasing demographic requirements it was not possible to include this project in the 5 year construction programme announced in March 2012.

School building projects, including the project referred to by the Deputy, which were previously initiated but not included in the current five year construction programme 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.