Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 259: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the current and anticipated progress in the next six months regarding a project at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20248/08]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 261: To ask the Minister for Education and Science when further progress will take place in view of the fact that the tender report was received by his Department in January 2008 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20250/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 259 and 261 together.

The projects at the schools referred to by the Deputy are at an advanced stage (Stage 2b — Detailed Design and Bill of Quantities) of the architectural planning process. As part of the Programme for Government, a Developing Areas Unit was set up recently in my Department to focus on the school accommodation needs of rapidly developing areas, including Naas. The main emphasis in 2008 is on providing sufficient school places in these developing areas, as well as delivering improvements in the quality of existing primary and post-primary school accommodation throughout the country. In this context, the status of all schools in Naas is being assessed. The schools referred to by the Deputy will be included in this assessment. As is the case with all large capital projects currently on hand within the Unit, their progression will be considered in the context of the multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 260: To ask the Minister for Education and Science when an application for large scale capital funding was received in his Department for the provision of proposed new primary school facilities at Straffan, County Kildare; the expected progress of same in the next six months and 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20249/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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An application for large scale capital funding at the school in question has been received. The commencement and progression of all large scale building projects from initial design stage through to construction phase, including this project, will be considered in the context of my Department's Multi-Annual School Building and Modernisation Programme. However, in light of current competing demands on the capital budget of the Department, it is not possible to give an indicative timeframe for the progression of the project at this time.