Dinny McGinley (Donegal South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 1078: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if approval has been given for a new vocational school in Stranorlar, County Donegal; if planning permission has been approved; the stage the planning for the project is at; the estimated cost of the new project; when it is expected that work will commence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2616/08]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The progression of all projects to tender and construction, including the proposed new school building in Stranorlar, will be considered in the context of my Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme. As indicated in the post budget education briefing, I intend to announce shortly, the first tranche of projects that will be proceeding to construction in 2008.

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 1079: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if her Department has examined the possibility of financing the construction of a new Gaelscoil (details supplied) in Midleton, County Cork in view of the fact that a site is available and that the school has a pressing need for a new building; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2619/08]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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While an application for capital funding towards the provision of new school building has been received from the school authority referred to by the Deputy, the Deputy may be aware that the school authority and a private construction firm without the direct involvement of my Department were involved in an initiative to build a 16 classroom school on land owned by the developer at no cost to the school or the Department.

The Department has not been involved in the design of the school nor has capital funding been provided in respect of the project. However following a recent communication from the private construction firm I understand that the proposal to construct a new school is changed to an offer of a site.

In order to progress the application an assessment of projected enrolment trends, demographic trends and housing developments in the area will be required in order to determine the long term projected staffing figure on which the school's accommodation needs will be based. Once the long term projection has been determined and agreed with the school authorities the required building project will be considered in the context of the multi-annual School Building and Modernisation programme.

Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 1081: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if she will confirm that the new primary school for Saggart, County Dublin will be constructed and ready for use in September 2009; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2621/08]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The Department has acknowledged the need to relocate the existing primary school referred to by the Deputy to a green-field site.

The acquisition of a site for this development is being actively pursued with South Dublin County Council and the relevant landowners. However, due to the commercial sensitivities attaching to property acquisitions generally, I am not in a position to comment further on this matter at this time. When this matter has been finalised, progress on the provision of a new school building will be progressed.