Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Fianna Fail)
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Question 437: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the stage the proposed amalgamation of schools (details supplied) in County Tipperary is at; when it is hoped that the amalgamation will take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18790/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I can confirm that the schools to which the Deputy refers have agreed to amalgamate. A large scale building project of 24 classrooms plus ancillary accommodation will be required to facilitate this development.

In that context, I can confirm that an application has been made to my Department for large scale capital funding. The application has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria for large scale building projects and assigned a band 1.4 rating.

Progress on the building project, including the necessary acquisition of land to extend the site, 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.