Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 524: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the timeframe for the amalgamation of the primary school sector in New Ross, in the context of the general agreement locally that she has acknowledged in her reply to Questions Nos. 394 and 395 of 11 October 2005; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30134/05]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 525: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the timeframe for rationalisation of the primary school sector in New Ross, from consideration of architectural assessments to inclusion in the school building programme; when work will commence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30135/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 524 and 525 together.

As stated in my reply to the parliamentary questions to which the Deputy refers, architectural assessments have recently been carried out on all four primary schools to determine which, if any, would be suitable to act as hosts for the proposed rationalisation at primary level in New Ross. These assessments will enable my Department to take a view on how infrastructure can be developed to facilitate its proposals. In addition, the local authority has agreed to provide my Department with updated demographics on the area so that an informed decision can be taken on school sizes. When these matters have been resolved, my Department will move to address the issue of enrolment polices for the proposed school reconfiguration. It is not possible to be prescriptive in terms of a timeframe to finalise these matters. However, when they have been finalised, any required building works to give effect to the rationalisation will be considered for inclusion in the school building and modernisation programme. Any such projects will attract a high priority band 1.4 rating, which applies to projects to facilitate amalgamations.