Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 303: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the position in relation to an application from a school (details supplied) in County Wicklow; if he will provide a firm commitment to proceed with funding for the new school within an agreed timetable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24341/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The school to which the Deputy refers has applied to my Department for capital funding for an extension project. The project is at an advanced stage of architectural planning. I can confirm to the Deputy that my Department considers that the development of the project to date is within its guidelines. There is no question of the school being penalised because of the time involved in the planning process. The progression of all major building projects, including this project, through to construction phase 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 and with the level of activity in the School Building Programme, it is not possible to give an indicative timeframe for the further progression of the project at this time.

John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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Question 304: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the reason there are continuous delays with regard to the building programme at a school (details supplied) in County Waterford; the reason his Department has not forwarded a list of health and safety officers to the chairperson of the primary school; and when this will be resolved. [24347/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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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 Tramore. 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 the town where the school referred to by the Deputy is located are being assessed as part of an overall delivery plan, which is currently being formulated within my Department. As is the case with all large capital projects, their progression to tender and construction, including the project in question will be considered in the context of the Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme. My Department will be in contact with the school authorities about the matter as quickly as possible.

Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 305: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the reason the technical visit in relation to the extension for a school (details supplied) in County Clare has been postponed; if, in view of correspondence, he will undertake to have this visit take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24351/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The school to which the Deputy refers has applied to my Department for capital funding for an extension project. The development of a building project for the school is at an early stage, and requires a technical visit to progress matters. As the Deputy will be aware, all applications for capital funding are prioritised and advanced incrementally by my Department. This applies to the progression of all preparatory work leading up to the construction phase. The priority attaching to individual projects is determined by published prioritisation criteria, which were formulated following consultation with the Education Partners. There are four band ratings under these criteria, each of which describes the extent of accommodation required and the urgency attaching to it. Band 1 is the highest priority rating and Band 4 is the lowest. The project for the school in question carries a Band 2.2 rating.

The progression of all large scale building projects, including this project, from initial design stage through to construction phase 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 and with the level of activity in the School Building Programme, it is not possible to give an indicative timeframe for the further progression of the project at this time. The Deputy will appreciate that the Department must, in the first instance, manage its resources to ensure that the projects which are in the programme are delivered. My Department will be arranging a site visit for the school in question as and when resources allow and when the project is ready to progress through the programme.