Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 78: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of projects that fall into each of the four bands categorised in the school building programme development for the years 2003 to 2007 respectively; and ifshe will make a statement on the matter. [33438/07]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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As I have indicated previously I intend to continue to move through the School Building and Modernisation Programme in a planned way over the next number of years. This is possible with the availability of €4.5 billion capital funding for first and second level school infrastructure development under the new NDP 2007-2013. This will build on the major investment of over €2.6 billion on school infrastructure in the period of the last NDP 2000-2006.

The priority rating of each individual project is established in accordance with the Criteria for Prioritising Capital Projects which allocates each project to an appropriate priority band rating on the basis of objective criteria. A review of the criteria for prioritising large-scale projects was undertaken in consultation with the Education Partners early in 2004 to ensure that the criteria have the optimum precision and are fully tuned to meeting the priority accommodation needs of primary and post-primary schools and in general the feedback from the Education Partners to the review has been positive. The revised criteria have been seen as bringing greater clarity and focus to the system. The amended criteria are applied to all projects that proceed to tender and construction.

The numbers of building projects under consideration can changes on a day to day basis as new applications are received and existing applications are progressed in my Department. The Deputy will appreciate that this investment must continue to be targeted using the published prioritisation criteria. Details of projects to move forward under the programme will be published as and when they are ready to be advanced in the context of capital expenditure requirements.

Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 79: To ask the Minister for Education and Science, further to her reply to Parliamentary Question No. 64 of 13 November 2007, the new procedures agreed and implemented by her Department and local authorities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33422/07]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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As part of the Government's strategy for the provision of school places for 2008 and onwards, a commitment to establish a Developing Areas Unit in my Department is given under the Programme for Government. I am pleased to inform the Deputy that this Unit has been established. It is located in Tullamore and forms part of my Department's planningand building division already based in that location.

The unit will be solely dedicated to progressing school planning in rapidly developing areas, building on improvements that have already been made in school planning in recent years. Staff in the unit will liaise with local authorities, identify where new schools are needed and ensure that they are delivered in the fastest possible timeframe. My Department has also initiated a tender process for a drawdown contract facility that will be used to provide additional school places in the rapidly developing areas for 2008 and onwards. This drawdown contract facility is aimed at providing school accommodation in very short timescales using modern methodologies such as off-site construction.

Both I and my senior officials have met with the relevant local authorities in relation to the acquisition of suitable sites for new schools and, where possible, pre-empting any planning issues that may arise. This close cooperation with local authorities will help ensure that additional school places are provided in the developing areas within the earliest possible timeframes. These strategies are being underpinned by a budget of €4.5 billion over the lifetime of the National Development Plan.

Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 80: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if she is satisfied with the educational facilities available to the island communities on the islands; the advancement of education on the islands; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32590/07]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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It is my policy that, where possible, education should be provided on islands for both primary and post primary pupils. School building projects are progressed in the context of the Department's multi annual school building programme and are prioritised in accordance with the published criteria which has been agreed with the Education Partners.