Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 420: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the position in relation to site acquisition for a school (details supplied) in County Laois; if a site has been agreed for this school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27604/05]

Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 421: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the reason for the delay in progressing a school building project (details supplied) in County Laois; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that one of the schools involved will close in 2008; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27605/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 420 and 421 together.

My Department is keenly aware of the impending closure of the school to which the Deputy refers. It has been working over the summer months on a cost verification exercise in relation to all options presenting to accommodate the new school. This is a complex exercise given the type and level of level of information which must be gathered and then assessed. Negotiations are also a part of the process.

On 6 October last, my Department received the final information it required from one of the parties concerned. Now that this information is to hand, I expect a decision on an accommodation solution for the new school to issue shortly.