Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 430: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the reason for the delay in his sanctioning the construction of a permanent school to replace the prefabricated buildings out of which a school (details supplied) in Dublin 18 operates; if he will confirm that his Department received in January 2009 all required enrolment and local demographic data as requested by him; the reason no response has been received by the school to queries regarding the construction project; and if he will sanction the construction of the permanent school buildings. [19755/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The school to which the Deputy refers is at an early stage of architectural planning. I met with a delegation from the school in November last and in the course of that meeting the school authorities provided me with a document on the background to this project. The Principal of the school wrote to my Department in December. An official from my Department subsequently contacted the school authorities but my Department has no record of receiving enrolment or demographic data in January. I have asked my officials to contact the school again to request copies of any documentation which the school may wish to submit.

The Forward Planning Section of my Department is in the process of identifying the areas where significant additional accommodation will be required at primary and post-primary level for future school years.

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. Primary accommodation requirements in the Leopardstown area, and any subsequent issues which may arise, will be considered in this regard.

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.