Paul Connaughton Snr (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 554: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to the deficit of resources at a school (details supplied) in County Galway regarding the funding of physical education in the school; if her attention has further been drawn to the fact that this school intends to hire a recently built community sports hall for this purpose which costs €35 an hour, amounting to a total of €14,000 in a full year; if her attention has further been drawn to the fact that the purchase of additional equipment is expected to cost €46,000 with the cost of bussing students to outdoor elements contained in the syllabus amounting to another €8,000; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11265/07]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I am pleased to inform the Deputy that an extension and refurbishment project, including a new stand-alone P.E. Hall, is currently in progress for the school referred to. The project is in the early stages of Architectural Planning.

Approval to proceed to Stage 3 (Developed Sketch Scheme) of Architectural Planning has recently been granted to the school authorities. Officials from my Department will be in further contact with the school authorities when the Stage 3 documentation has been received and evaluated. Progression of the project to tender and construction will be considered in the context of the multi-annual School Building and Modernisation programme.

Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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Question 555: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the position of an application by a school (details supplied) in County Tipperary for additional facilities. [11277/07]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy is aware, the school to which he refers is to amalgamate with another school in the area. In this regard, School Planning Section has issued a proposed long term projected staffing for the amalgamated school for acceptance by the school authorities. A response is awaited. Once this matter has been finalised, a technical inspection of the school premises will be arranged to draw up an accommodation brief.

There are also issues surrounding acquisition of an additional piece of land to facilitate the proposed amalgamation. This issue is being actively pursued.