Noel Grealish (Galway West, Progressive Democrats)
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Question 231: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the situation regarding schools (details supplied); when she expects construction on these two schools to commence; the expected date for completion; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8435/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The building project for the first school referred to by the Deputy is at an early stage of architectural planning. A full design team has been appointed and my Department's architects are currently drawing up proposals as to the layout of the school. The civil and structural engineer has been instructed to carry out topographical surveys and site investigation studies. On receipt of the requested information, a full design team meeting will be organised so that the project can be progressed further.

An application for a new school building has been received from the management authority of the second school referred to by the Deputy. The application has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria which were revised following consultation with the education partners. The project, including the acquisition of a site, is being considered in the context of the School Building and Modernisation Programme 2005-09.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 232: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the meetings which took place regarding a proposed project (details supplied) in County Mayo between her Department, Mayo Vocational Education Committee and other interested parties; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8456/06]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 233: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the studies or reports which were carried out for a project (details supplied) in County Mayo; the costs involved for same by her Department and Mayo Vocational Education Committee; and the person to whom the payments were made. [8457/06]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 234: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the costs which were incurred by her Department and by Mayo Vocational Education Committee on a project which had been proposed in County Mayo from the first date the project was mooted to date; the moneys which have been paid to date to architects, auctioneers, land owners and so on; the moneys involved; the expenditure to date on every aspect of this matter. [8458/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 232 to 234, inclusive, together.

The VEC is an independent statutory body. Accordingly, the information requested by the Deputy regarding the VEC should be sought directly from the chief executive officer.

My Department has not participated in any meetings in recent years regarding the proposed project. The commission on school accommodation recently produced an area development plan on the overall area, which included recommendations on the proposed new school referred to by the Deputy. The cost of this report is within the remit of the commission's budget.

Capital funding of in the region of €400,000, including €247,000 for purchase of site, was expended by my Department on the proposed new school project referred to by the Deputy. It is expected that the sale of this site at an appropriate time in the future will at least recoup moneys expended.