Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 494: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the reason approval for new primary schools can be sanctioned and fast-tracked in commuter belt areas in a matter of months, while pupils and parents in rural schools must wait longer than that; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37791/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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School building projects are selected for inclusion in the School Building and Modernisation Programme on the basis of priority of need. All applications for capital funding are assessed in accordance with the Department's published prioritisation criteria for large scale building projects which were drawn up following consultation with the education partners. Following this assessment, each application is assigned a band rating. Progress on individual projects is consistent with that band rating. In recent years that Department introduced two devolved schemes to fast track the delivery of capital projects in smaller schools which are generally found in rural areas — the Permanent Accommodation Scheme and the Small Schools Scheme. Schools can apply for capital funding under this delivery approach or they can opt to remain in the traditional delivery system. Between the years 2003 and 2005, 275 schools have been allocated over €70m in funding under these schemes. Applications under the 2007 Schemes are currently being assessed and I will be publishing the list of successful applicants when this process has been completed.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 495: To ask the Minister for Education and Science when an on-site technical assessment of needs will be carried out for a school (details supplied) in County Mayo, particularly as the school has to make do with critical accommodation deficits while awaiting this assessment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37792/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Following an allocation of funding to the school referred to by the Deputy, under the Small Schools Scheme 2006 to undertake an extension/refurbishment of the existing school building, the school authorities subsequently requested my Department to consider the provision of a new school building on the existing school site. An assessment of the long term projected enrolment, on which the schools accommodation needs are based is required. This assessment will take into account factors such as current and projected enrolment, and the likely impact of proposed housing developments. Once this assessment is complete, a decision will be taken on how best to provide for the schools accommodation needs. The project will be considered in the context of the School Building and Modernisation Programme 2006-2010.