Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 1078: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of secondary school building projects and the estimated value of the projects which are in band one, band two, band three and so on of the secondary school building programme; and the number of and value of building projects which have been approved to commence construction in the past 12 months. [11761/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The priority attaching to individual projects is determined by published prioritisation criteria, which were formulated following consultation with the Education Partners. There are four band ratings under these criteria, each of which describes the extent of accommodation required and the urgency attaching to it. Band 1 is the highest priority rating and Band 4 is the lowest.

More detailed information relating to the prioritisation system for school building projects is available on my Department's website.

There are currently 25 major post-primary school projects ranging from early to advanced stages of the school building programme which have a Band 1 rating according to the prioritisation criteria. Seventeen of these projects have, since February 2008, been approved to proceed to tender and construction, and four of them are currently on site.

There are 49 major post-primary school projects ranging from early to advanced stages of the school building programme which have a Band 2 rating according to the prioritisation criteria. Nine of these projects have, since February 2008, been approved to proceed to tender and construction, and two of them are currently on site. There are no major post-primary projects on the school building programme which are in band 3 of the prioritisation criteria.

There are 3 major post-primary school projects ranging from early to advanced stages of the school building programme which have a Band 4 rating according to the prioritisation criteria. One of these projects has, since February 2008, been approved to proceed to tender and construction.

As a matter of policy, my Department does not provide cost estimates for projects as this might prejudice the tendering process.