Willie Penrose (Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 1281: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the reason correspondence concerning a school (details supplied) in County Westmeath of 24 August 2005 was not replied to; the reason a definitive reply was not given to the school; the steps she will take to ensure that the application made for additional funding by this school which represents exceedingly good value would be finalised and additional moneys given to the board of management; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25768/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the school to which he refers was offered specific funding under my Department's small schools initiative, SSI, to provide it with a certain level of permanent accommodation. At the tender stage, the school became aware that it was facing a funding shortfall. Unfortunately, the school authority did not bring this to the attention of my Department. In the event, it proceeded with the project without approval for the increased funding. The matter was allowed to go forward under the SSI appeals process. However, the appeals board referred the matter back to the school planning section when it emerged that the building project carried out by the school was unlikely to meet its long-term accommodation needs. A reassessment was requested, which involves a re-examination of the long-term needs of the school in the context of long term projected enrolments. The school planning section is endeavouring to have this carried out as quickly as possible so that the appeals board can take a final decision in the matter.