Dan Neville (Limerick West, Fine Gael)
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Question 457: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if he will make a statement in respect of a school (details supplied) in County Limerick. [8773/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I can confirm to the Deputy that my Department is in receipt of an application for large scale capital funding from the school to which he refers, which has been assigned a Band 2 rating under the published prioritisation criteria for large scale building projects.

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.

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 458: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if his Department is planning to build a gaelscoil secondary school in Ashbourne, County Meath; his views on whether Ashbourne has the highest youth population here but has only one secondary school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8787/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The Forward Planning Section of the Department is in the process of identifying the areas where significant additional accommodation will be required at primary and post-primary level for 2009 and onwards. Factors under consideration include population growth, demographic trends, current and projected enrolments, recent and planned housing developments and capacity of existing schools to meet demand for places. Having considered these factors decisions will be taken on the means by which emerging needs will be met within an area.

Post-primary accommodation requirements in the Ashbourne area, and any subsequent issues which may arise, such as the need for a new Irish language post-primary school will be considered in this context.