Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 705: To ask the Minister for Education and Science what is being delivered in 2008 in the school building programme; the roadmap that exists for projects proceeding to construction on the school building programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11361/08]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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On the 1st February last I announced the first phase of projects that will commence construction during 2008 and 2009. My announcement included details of the 18 large scale building projects approved for construction and a further 30 primary school projects in rapidly developing areas. Details of the projects approved can be viewed under the Press Release section of my Department's website at www.education.ie.

This is the first phase of projects that will commence construction during 2008 and 2009. It is my intention to make a further announcement shortly to allow a further batch of schools to commence construction and to update progress on the new schools planned for September 2008 delivery in developing areas.

The main emphasis in 2008 is on providing sufficient school places in rapidly developing areas as well as delivering improvements in the quality of existing primary and post-primary school accommodation throughout the country. The priority rating of each individual building project is established in accordance with the Criteria for Prioritising Large ScaleProjects (Primary and Post-primary) which is available on my Department's website atwww.education.ie.

In accordance with the criteria set down, each project is allocated 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 in early 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. 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.

Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Question 706: To ask the Minister for Education and Science when a school (details supplied) in County Wicklow will receive sanction for the planned national school in Greystones; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11363/08]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The New School Advisory Committee (NSAC) has received an application for the recognition of a new primary school for September, 2008 in the location referred to by the Deputy. The NSAC is an independent advisory group established to process applications for the recognition of new primary schools and to make recommendations to the Minister for Education and Science. I expect to be in a position to make an announcement on the outcome of all applications before the NSAC, including this application, by the end of April.

Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
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Question 707: To ask the Minister for Education and Science when she will allocate funds for the construction of a new primary school at a school (details supplied) in County Cork; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that a suitable site is available, if the design plans have been approved, that the present school is overcrowded and in poor condition and not in conformity with her Department's guidelines and that major development has taken place and is planned for the area as a result of a 13% growth in population; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11370/08]

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 787: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the band rating attached to a planned new school (details supplied) in County Cork in her Department's multi-annual school building and modernisation programme. [11995/08]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 707 and 787 together.

The process of appointing a design team to the school building project referred to by the Deputies is at an advanced stage. The advancement of all large scale building projects from initial design stage through to construction phase, including this project, will considered on an on-going basis in the context of my Department's Multi-Annual School Building and Modernisation Programme.

Paul Connaughton Snr (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 708: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to the poor condition of a school (details supplied) in County Galway; the plans she has for the building of a new school at Eglish; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11375/08]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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An application for capital funding towards the provision of a new school building has been received from the school authority referred to by the Deputy. The long term projected staffing assessment and the further progression of the proposed building project will be considered on an ongoing basis in the context of my Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation programme.

In the interim, officials in my Department are in contact with the school management regarding the provision of temporary accommodation and additional information is expected from the management shortly. When this documentation is received the school authority will be notified of the position without delay.