Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 542: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the extent to which he has examined or quantified the expected negative impact of his recently announced education budgetary cuts in the building programme for extensions and extra classroom accommodation in each of the primary and post-primary schools by name in Celbridge, County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38518/08]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 544: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the extent to which he has examined or quantified the expected negative impact of his recently announced education budgetary cuts in the building programme for extensions and extra classroom accommodation in each of the primary and post-primary schools by name in Naas, County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38520/08]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 545: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the extent to which he has examined or quantified the expected negative impact of his recently announced education budgetary cuts in the building programme for extensions and extra classroom accommodation in each of the primary and post-primary schools by name in Maynooth, County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38521/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 542, 544 and 545 together.

My Department is aware of the accommodation needs of Celbridge, Naas and Maynooth.

As part of the programme initiated by my Developing Areas Unit in 2008, projects to meet both the immediate and medium term needs are completed, or are nearing completion, in all three locations.

My Department will continue to monitor the accommodation needs throughout the country and progress projects under the Department's multi-annual Building programme to meet these needs.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 543: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the extent to which he has examined or quantified the expected negative impact of his recently announced education budgetary cuts in the building programme for extensions and extra classroom accommodation in each of the primary and post-primary schools by name in Kilcock, County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38519/08]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 546: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the extent to which he has examined or quantified the expected negative impact of his recently announced education budgetary cuts in the building programme for extensions and extra classroom accommodation in each of the primary and post-primary schools by name in Leixlip, County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38522/08]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 547: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the extent to which he has examined or quantified the expected negative impact of his recently announced education budgetary cuts in the building programme for extensions and extra classroom accommodation in each of the primary and post-primary schools by name in Clane, County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38523/08]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 552: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the extent to which he will address the ongoing issue of insufficient classroom accommodation at the worst affected primary and second level schools; the degree to which he expects to be in a position in 2008 or in 2009 to augment the schools building programme to address these issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38529/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 543, 546, 547 and 552 together.

Under the current National Development Plan (2007-2013), a total of almost €4.5 billion has been allocated to the school building programme.

The allocation for school building in 2009 is €581 million. Although this is a slight reduction over the 2008 allocation of €586 million, it represents a significant investment in the school building and modernisation programme. As the Deputy will appreciate, the climate within which the 2009 Budget has been framed is very different to that of recent years. The Government has been faced with very difficult choices across all areas of public spending. This level of funding for the building programme, at a time of great pressure on public finances, is a sign of the very real commitment of this Government to investing in school infrastructure and will permit the continuation of progress in the overall improvement of school accommodation.

This investment will build on the achievements of the last National Development Plan 2000-2006, when an aggregate total of well over €2.6 billion was invested in upgrading the existing school infrastructure and providing new school accommodation at both first level and second level. This programme delivered over 7,800 building projects in addition to investment in site purchases, the annual minor works grant to all primary schools, the asbestos and radon remediation programmes, science and technology initiatives, emergency works and grants for the purchase of furniture and equipment.

The allocation for 2009 will allow my Department to complete 26 major projects and commence construction on another 62 major projects. It will permit completion of 100 smaller projects on site and allow another 80 projects previously approved to progress to completion as well as funding the other elements of the programme such as the annual minor works grant, site purchases, emergency works etc. It is also my intention to have a Summer Works Scheme in 2009.

As the Deputy will be aware, projects are selected for inclusion in the School Building and Modernisation Programme on the basis of priority of need which is reflected in the band rating assigned them under my Department's published prioritisation criteria for large scale building projects. In this way, my Department ensures that funding is targeted on a priority basis at schools most in need of such works.

The progression of all large scale building projects, including the projects in the areas referred to by the Deputy, 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.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 548: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if he has sought or received further documentation or information regarding the proposed new school at Kill, County Kildare; his plans to progress the issue in the next 12 months in view of the urgency of the situation which has been repeatedly brought to the attention of his Department during the past ten years; the progress in regard to this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38524/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I am pleased to advise the Deputy, that the proposed new school at Kill, is one of the 25 schools listed in my announcement on 29 September 2008 regarding school building projects to proceed to tender and construction. The current position regarding this school's building project is that the Stage 2b documentation (Detailed Design & Bill of Quantities) was received in my Department's offices recently and following a satisfactory review of the documents, tender action will be commenced as soon as possible.