M J Nolan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Question 496: To ask the Minister for Education and Science when approval will be given for the construction of extra classrooms for a school (details supplied) in County Carlow. [31509/06]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Question 535: To ask the Minister for Education and Science when finance will be approved for a school extension (details supplied) in County Carlow; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31991/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 496 and 535 together.

I can confirm that the Department is in receipt of an application for major capital works from the management authority of the school to which the Deputies refer. The application has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria for large scale building projects and has been assigned a Band 2 rating. To move the project forward, the long term projected staffing of the school is being assessed. This will determine the extent of any extra accommodation to be provided. Contact will be made directly with the school authority when this has been established.

In the meantime, the school authority has been made aware of the recent publication of the Department's devolved capital schemes and it has been asked to consider whether or not it would be appropriate for it to apply under these schemes. The method and timing for the delivery of the proposed project will ultimately depend on how the school wishes to proceed in this regard.