Gerard Murphy (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 127: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of schools listed on her Department's school building programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4988/07]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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There are over 1,500 large-scale and smaller scale projects on my Department's school building programme. The rolling series of announcements on the programme are listed on my Department's website — the most recent of which involved over 1,100 projects under the Summer Works Scheme and 22 large-scale post-primary projects. I expect to be making announcements in the coming weeks on the next tranche of projects to be delivered under my Department's devolved schemes.

The budget for 2007 is the first year of the rollout of the new NDP which will involve an investment of over €4.5 billion in school buildings over the next 7 years. This multi-annual funding will enable my Department to continue to take a proactive approach to the provision of modern school accommodation particularly in the rapidly developing areas.

Cecilia Keaveney (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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Question 128: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the new school building for a school (details supplied) in County Donegal. [4936/07]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The building project for the new school referred to by the Deputy is part of my Department's list of projects to proceed to tender and construction. The use of my Department's Generic Repeat Design will facilitate this process. At present the School's Consultant Architect is carrying out a site suitability assessment in order to determine the appropriate version of the Generic Repeat Design solution to be used and once this is ascertained, the School's Design Team will be authorised to proceed to stage 3 (detailed design with costings) of my Department's Design Team Procedures. Thereafter, it is envisaged that devolved approval will be given to proceed to tender and construction without the need for major interaction with my Department.

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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Question 129: To ask the Minister for Education and Science her Department's policy in relation to the provision of energy efficient measures and renewable heating systems in schools; if this will be reviewed in the near future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4980/07]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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My Department is to the forefront of design with respect to energy efficiency in school buildings. However, the length of the school day and school holiday periods generally impact on the suitability of alternative energy options in school buildings. My Department's design guidelines set the benchmark for low energy design in schools and are clearly focused on energy efficiency and are based on solid energy research projects. It has been demonstrated that all schools designed and built to these standards can have an energy performance that is 2.3 times more efficient than International best practice and nearly five times more efficient than schools built in the late 80's.

My Department's policy is supported by a strong research programme with over twenty research projects at various stages currently in hand. A hybrid approach is taken with respect to low energy design in schools based on maximising natural resources and energy efficient technologies. Schools are positioned to maximise gain from the sun during the day for passive solar heating and natural daylight. Passive solar design saves 20% of early morning heating period and adequate natural daylight when combined with automated lighting systems in the classrooms can eliminate the need for electrical light for up to 80% of the school's teaching hours.

Energy efficient boilers and individual room temperature controls combined with a strong emphasis on air tight testing and high insulation levels minimise heat requirements. Water usage is minimised through automatic shut off taps and dual flush toilets, while local water blending valves are provided to prevent scalding. All of the above design features are included in the Department's Generic Repeat Design schools. My Department has developed a number of carbon neutral schools as part of research projects involving both geothermal and wood pellet installations and further projects are currently being assessed in respect of their suitability for wider rollout.

The performance of my Department in the area of low energy design has been recognised at both National and International level with sustainable energy awards for excellence in Design and Specification.

Tom McEllistrim (Kerry North, Fianna Fail)
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Question 130: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the building project for a school (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4850/07]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The need for a replacement school on a greenfield site for Blennerville National School has been determined by the Department. A suitable site has been acquired for that purpose. The building project required to deliver the new school will be progressed in the context of the School Building and Modernisation Programme.