Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 669: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if he has proposals for the establishment and funding of Educate Together post primary schools; if so, his views on the establishment of such a school in the Phibsborough Dublin 7 area where Dublin City Council is in process of developing a local area plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22903/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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Forward Planning Section of my Department is in the process of identifying the areas where significant additional accommodation will be required at primary and post-primary level for 2009 and onwards.

Factors under consideration include population growth, demographic trends, current and projected enrolments, recent and planned housing developments and capacity of existing schools to meet demand for places. Having considered these factors decisions will be taken on the means by which emerging needs will be met within an area.

Post-primary accommodation requirements in the Phibsborough Dublin 7 area, and any subsequent issues which may arise, such as patronage, will be considered in this regard.

Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 670: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the plans he has to provide additional accommodation for a primary school (details supplied) in County Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22914/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I can confirm to the Deputy that the school to which he refers has applied for large scale capital funding for the provision of additional accommodation.

The commencement and progression of all large scale building projects from initial design stage through to construction phase, including this project, will be considered on an on-going basis 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.

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 671: To ask the Minister for Education and Science further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 413 and 414 of 13 May 2008 if he will conduct an audit to establish the number of primary school pupils being educated in prefabs in County Laois during the academic year 2007/2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22922/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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My Department is currently working on compiling a database which will provide information regarding temporary accommodation at schools. Work on this database is under way as part of a general review of rental policy being undertaken. Information will be collated on approximately 900 schools which have received approval from the Department to rent temporary accommodation, including but not limited to prefabs. Over 800 schools have replied and my Department is currently pursuing the outstanding returns through its regional offices, with a view to completing the database.

This will be used to produce a database of information which will be maintained on an ongoing basis and will inform my Department's future decision-making in this area. This work is well advanced and I anticipate that it will be completed shortly.