James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 953: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the position in relation to the provision of additional post primary accommodation for the town of Mullingar and the provision of a replacement school (details supplied) in County Westmeath; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1340/08]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I can confirm to the Deputy that the Department is in receipt of applications for large scale capital funding from 3 post primary schools in Mullingar. These applications have been assessed in accordance with the published criteria for large scale building projects and progress on the individual projectswill be considered in the context of the multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme.

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 954: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the stages involved in the provision of a new primary school and the provision of an extension to an existing primary school in sequence; the way this process differs if at all where a new school is required for the amalgamation of two existing schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1368/08]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that all applications for new school buildings and extensions to existing buildings are assessed in accordance with established criteria which was agreed with the education partners. I am arranging to send a copy of this to the Deputy. The initiative for an amalgamation may come from a variety of sources, such as parents, staff, boards of management and the Patron. However, the patron has the key role in the initial stage of establishing feasibility and the decision-making authority for amalgamation belongs to the patron/s subject to my approval. My Department's role is to facilitate any such proposals.

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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Question 955: To ask the Minister for Education and Science when moneys will be allocated to Cork VEC for the appointment of a design team to draw up plans for a new school (details supplied) in County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1370/08]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Schedules of overall accommodation for the school to which the Deputy refers have been agreed with Co. Cork Vocational Education Committee to cater for a long term projected enrolment of 325 pupils. Further progression of this project will be considered in the context of my Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme.