Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 358: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of projects within band 1, band 2, band 3 and band 4 in relation to the school building projects programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20717/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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There are 330 schools building projects categorised as being in band 1, 800 categorised as being in band 2, 244 categorised as being in band 3 and 54 categorised as being in band 4. Band 1 projects address the needs of schools in rapidly developing areas, the provision of specialist accommodation for special needs pupils, schools with structural issues and rationalisation projects. Band 2 projects address the needs of schools that have a deficit of mainstream accommodation and/or require refurbishment. Band 3 projects address the needs of schools that have no deficit of mainstream accommodation but that have a deficit of ancillary accommodation. Band 4 projects address the needs of schools that have desirable but not urgent needs. When it is necessary to select projects from within the same band, as a general principle, projects will be selected on the basis of enrolment stability; projects that have been the longest period in the planning process and the most cost effective solution. In this regard, it should be noted that a project's banding, or classification, can be subject to reassessment having regard to demographic developments in the area served by the school and also, for example, if on foot of a technical examination of the school it was found that the proposed project put forward by the school was not an appropriate design solution to meet the accommodation requirements.