Séamus Healy (Tipperary South, Independent)
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Question 478: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the amalgamation of schools (details supplied) in County Tipperary; when she proposes to approve the amalgamation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23592/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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With regard to the proposed amalgamation of the two schools to which the deputy refers, my department has requested the local inspector to provide long term projections for both the boy's and girl's schools to establish the extent of accommodation which will be needed to facilitate the amalgamation. In addition, a technical inspection has been carried out on the existing buildings to determine which, if either, would be suitable to act as a host for the new school. My Department has informed the schools of the outcome this technical inspection.

In the meantime, the project has been assessed in accordance with the agreed prioritisation criteria for large scale projects and it has been assigned a band 1.4 rating (i.e. rationalisation). It will be considered for commencement of architectural planning when the various strands have been pulled together in terms of the long term projected enrolment and a proposed accommodation solution with the objective of identifying a preferred bidder.

These discussions with the shortlisted candidates will represent a crucially important phase in this evolving process. Accordingly, it is not possible to specify the likely duration of these discussions. If successfully concluded, and a preferred bidder is selected, it is to be expected that still further and more specific discussions are likely to follow with the preferred bidder. It is at these discussions that significant points of detail including matters such as the appointment of a contractor, duration on site and associated issues shall be firmly resolved such that they can be incorporated into binding legal agreements.