Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 631: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the situation with respect to the application for accommodation enforcement works at a school (details supplied) in County Carlow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22226/09]

Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Question 655: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the condition of a school (details supplied); if, in view of the poor condition of this school, a new building is now an urgent matter; the action he will take to help this school; if at this stage remedial work to improve the building is too costly and if a new building would make more financial sense; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22401/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 631 and 655 together.

The building project for the school referred to by the Deputies is at an advanced stage of architectural planning. 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 my Department, it is not possible to give an indicative timeframe for the further progression of the project at this time.

Individual school authorities are responsible in the first instance for health and safety issues relating to schools. The school authority, in this instance, has been informed that it is open to it to apply to the Planning and Building Unit of my Department for emergency works funding for capital works of an urgent nature. Grants from this fund are available for very urgent works, primarily of a major health and safety nature, to schools that require them.