Pádraic McCormack (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Question 714: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the position for a proposed new second level school at Clifden, County Galway; when it is expected that this school building project will begin; her views on whether time is of the essence in this matter as the only other second level school in north-west Connemara at Kylemore is proposed to close; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10024/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is at an early stage of architectural planning.

Following an assessment of the accommodation needs of the school in question, a revised schedule of overall accommodation issued to the school in July 2005. Various options were also explored for the delivery of accommodation for the school. The Department of Education and Science advised the school authorities that a new school adjacent to the existing school on the east side would best meet the accommodation needs of the school.

A stage 2 submission based on this option was recently received in the Department of Education and Science and is under review. When this review is completed my officials will be in further contact with the school authorities regarding the next steps involved in progressing this project.

A decision on which school building projects will advance to tender and construction will be considered in the context of the school building and modernisation programme 2006-09.