Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 296: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of schools that have been allocated funding under the 2006 devolved building scheme; the number of these schools that applied for funding for additional costs; and the number of these that were granted the additional funding. [31837/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The information sought is not readily available in the format requested by the Deputy. However, my officials are currently compiling this information and it will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 297: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the reason he has ordered a moratorium on the establishment of new primary schools except in rapidly expanding areas, at a time when pupil numbers are growing and there is a need for 100,000 extra places within seven to ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31842/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware, I have recently announced a review of the procedures for the establishment of new primary schools. The term of office of the New Schools Advisory Committee (NSAC), which was set up to assess all applications for new primary schools, expired last month. The terms of reference of the Committee were originally drafted in 1998. Given the rapid growth in population and changing demographics in recent years, it is an opportune time to re-examine the criteria for the establishment of new primary schools.

I intend to establish a Technical Working Group under the Commission on School Accommodation to undertake a full review of the criteria and procedures for the recognition of new primary schools. Many issues will have to be addressed including both policy matters and practical issues raised by NSAC during the course of its work. Issues such as the minimum number of pupils required for the commencement of new schools, as well as a wide range of broad policy issues on school patronage and the approach to diversity of provision, need to be carefully considered.

In the interim period, it is not planned to recognise any new primary schools except in areas where increases in pupil numbers that cannot be catered for in existing schools require the provision of new schools. This means that new schools will not be established for reasons not related to demographic growth in areas where there is already sufficient school accommodation or where the increases can be catered for by extending the existing school accommodation.

This review does not mean that there will be a complete cessation of the school building programme outside of areas of rapid growth. This year alone, over €586 million will be spent on the school building programme. One-third of that is being spent in rapidly developing areas. This has resulted in the delivery of 12,000 new school places in 2008, a record number in any one year. In addition to the establishment of new schools in areas of rapid population growth, the normal building programme of modernising, replacing or extending existing schools will continue and I intend making a further announcement in this regard at a later date.