Michael Lowry (Tipperary North, Independent)
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Question 351: To ask the Minister for Education and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 169 of 24 February 2005, the organisations which submitted applications under the schemes; the stage each application is at; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6842/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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All Department of Education and Science recognised primary and post-primary schools are eligible to apply for capital grant aid under the various schemes operated by my Department. In this regard, the Deputy will be aware that I recently announced the first two phases of the 2005 school building programme which provided details of 22 major school building projects country wide which will prepare tenders and move to construction during 2005 along with the list of 191 schools which will be invited to deliver their building projects on the basis of devolved funding.

These announcements are part of a series of announcements I plan to make in the coming period in relation to the schools building and modernisation programme that will include details of schools with projects approved under the 2005 summer works scheme; schools whose projects will further progress through the design process; schools that will be authorised to commence architectural planning; and details of schools identified as suitable for construction under public private partnerships.

Michael Lowry (Tipperary North, Independent)
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Question 352: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to correspondence (details supplied); if she will meet the group as quickly as possible; her views on the contents of the correspondence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6843/05]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 360: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the reason none of the north Tipperary VEC building programme projects (details supplied) has progressed since 2000; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6918/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 352 and 360 together.

The building projects for the schools in question are at an early stage of architectural planning. I recently announced details of 122 major school building projects that will progress to the tender and construction phase over the next 12 to 15 months under the €3.4 billion multi-annual funding secured for the years 2005 to 2009.

I have also announced the next phase of the programme, under which 192 schools will be allocated funding to undertake projects such as extensions and refurbishments. Those projects will proceed immediately on a devolved basis, which means that the school authorities will control the planning and construction phases of the improvement works at their school.

I am anxious to ensure that a consistent flow of projects to tender and construction can be sustained into the future. I plan to make several announcements in the near future regarding the schools building and modernisation programme, including details of those school projects which will further progress through the design process.

All projects in architectural planning, including the schools in question, will be considered as part of that process.