Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Question 214: To ask the Minister for Education and Science when a technical team will visit a school (details supplied) in County Kerry to decide on the design and site for the new school that has been approved to replace the existing defective building; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3029/08]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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An application for capital funding towards the provision of an extension at the school to which the Deputy refers was received and assessed. The long term projected staffing for the school has been determined and notified to the school authority. A technical assessment of the existing accommodation is required in order to determine how best to provide for the school's future accommodation needs. My officials will be in contact with the school authority to arrange a suitable date for this assessment.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 215: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if the breakdown of the 2008 building budget between the devolved and other schemes has been determined; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3031/08]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Under my Department's School Building and Modernisation Programme there will be close to €600 million available to address first and second level school infrastructure deficits/improvements in 2008. While there will continue to be a focus next year on providing extra places in developing areas, my Department will also be delivering improvements in the quality of existing school accommodation throughout the country. The emphasis in 2008 however will be on delivering many large-scale projects such as new schools, extensions and major refurbishments, rather than on smaller projects. The level of investment in school buildings has never been greater. And with €4.5 billion to be invested in this area under the National Development Plan over the next few years, further significant progress will be made.

My Department's School Building and Modernisation Programme is generally divided into a number of component elements or sub programmes. These include Large Scale Building Projects (new school buildings and major extensions/refurbishments); Emergency Works; Site Acquisitions; Remediation Programmes (asbestos removal, radon mitigation); Devolved schemes; Furniture and Equipment; provision of Temporary Accommodation etc. The level of funding available to each sub programme has not yet been finalised.