Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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Question 244: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if, further to correspondence from a school (details supplied) in County Kildare, he will detail chronologically the background to its building project; if the school initially sought a new school or an extension; if changes in the initial approach were decided and by whom; if, following the receipt of tenders, the school sought further additional accommodation; if his Department has determined the definite accommodation requirements of the school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37647/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The school to which the Deputy refers applied to my Department in 1999 for additional accommodation. At a meeting with the Department at that time, the school proposed a greenfield site solution to its accommodation needs because the existing site could not facilitate the extent of extra accommodation needed. A technical examination of the site confirmed this position. As a result, the Department agreed to the school's proposal and the intention is to provide the school with an 8 classroom building with appropriate ancillary accommodation on a site which has been acquired by the school authority. In August 2000, a Design Team was appointed and the project is now in the advanced stages of architectural planning.

Progress on the new school 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 Department's capital budget, it is not possible to give an indicative timeframe for the progression of the project at this time. In the meantime, my Department approved a prefab for the school to meet its September 2008 needs. I have agreed to meet a deputation from the school on 13th November next at 2.30 pm in Leinster House.