Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 598: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if he will confirm that his Department has received the site report and the developed sketch design for the new building at a school (details supplied) in County Cork; and the status of this development. [35681/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I can confirm to the Deputy that a stage 2A submission (Developed Sketch Scheme) has been received by my Department for the project to which he refers. This has been examined by my Department's professional and technical staff. On foot of this examination, further information has been sought from the Design Team to enable final approval of this stage of architectural planning.

Ned O'Keeffe (Cork East, Fianna Fail)
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Question 599: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if he will provide the necessary funding for a national school (details supplied) in County Cork. [35714/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The building project for the school to which the Deputy refers is in the advanced stages of architectural planning.

The progression of all large scale building projects, including this project, from initial design stage through to construction phase 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.

Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)
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Question 600: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the plans for a new primary school in Saggart, County Dublin; if a new building will be in place by September 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35726/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I am pleased to advise the Deputy that as part of a fast-track programme, my Department is in the process of providing an 8 classroom temporary school to meet the immediate accommodation requirements in Saggart. This school will be ready for occupation in the coming weeks. The long term plan is to provide a 16 classroom school and ancillary accommodation as per Department guidelines.

My Department has acknowledged the need to relocate the existing primary school in Saggart to a green field site as the existing site cannot cater for the extra accommodation required for the school. The acquisition of a suitable site and the proposed long-term building project for the school will be considered in the context of the capital budget available to my Department for school buildings generally. In light of current competing demands on the capital budget of my Department, it is not possible to give an indicative timeframe for the acquisition of the school site at this time.

Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)
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Question 601: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the normal procedure for schools which have been approved at the design and architectural planning stage and have submitted a budget that is slightly over the allocated amount; if the school is kept on its current place on the list until the issue has been resolved, or if it is relegated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35727/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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Where plans cost are submitted which exceed Departmental norms, it is a matter for a Design Team to make the necessary revisions to bring the cost plan into line.

At the commencement of the design process, it is made clear to Boards of Management and Design Teams that any failure to meet Departmental requirements throughout the architectural planning process can result in project delays.

Funding is not allocated to a project at the cost plan stage of architectural planning. The allocation of funding can only be considered for projects which have been approved to proceed to tender. A project cannot be considered to proceed to tender until the design process has been fully and correctly completed.

As the Deputy will be aware, the progression of all large scale capital projects from initial design stage through to the tender and construction phase is governed by the Band rating assigned to them under the published prioritisation for large scale building projects and the funding available to my Department.

Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)
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Question 602: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if he has been presented with health and safety reports on a school (details supplied) in Dublin 20; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35728/08]

Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)
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Question 603: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the reason a school (details supplied) in Dublin 20 has not been given approval, despite being on the verge several times; the process in regard to decisions made to postpone sanctioning of works; the timeframe in relation to applications and correspondence received from the school regarding an extension and major refurbishment; the reasoning behind the decision to put the school's progress to the next stage on hold; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35729/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 602 and 603 together.

The project to which the Deputy refers is at an advanced stage of architectural planning.

Projects are allowed to proceed through the School Building and Modernisation Programme, in a manner consistent with the Band rating assigned to them under the published prioritisation for large scale building projects and when the funding is available to my Department. This is the common approach to all applications for large scale capital funding.

The project for the school in question will be considered for further progress in the context of the Multi-Annual School Building and Modernisation Programme. My Department has received correspondence regarding health and safety matters in the school. The Health and Safety Authority have written to the Chairman of the Board of Management of the school in this regard and my Department has been copied with this correspondence. As the Deputy will be aware, under Safety, Health and Welfare at work legislation, it is the responsibility of the school management authority to ensure the safety and welfare of children and others in their care.

John Cregan (Limerick West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 604: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the procedure for developers and building contractors wishing to participate in the school building programme under the public private partnership; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35750/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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My Department is responsible for all aspects of the assessment and approval of schools including the decision to procure schools via Public Private Partnership (PPP). This included the setting of project budgets, output specifications and other service requirements and agreeing the Public Sector Benchmark (compiled with the assistance of the NDFA).

Once my Department has carried out these functions, the project bundle is handed over to the National Development Finance Agency (NDFA) for procurement. All Education PPP projects are offered to the market by the NDFA in accordance with EU and National procurement guidelines and are advertised in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU), Government e-tenders website and in the National Media.

It is then open to all developers and building contractors wishing to participate to submit an expression of interest to the NDFA for any particular PPP project either independently or as part of a consortium. Qualification thresholds for participation are set out in each tender competition and these may vary depending on the size and complexity of the individual project.