Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Question 649: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if he has received correspondence from persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22351/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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My Department has received correspondence from the persons to whom the Deputy refers. The building project for the above school is at an advanced stage of architectural planning. I met with a deputation from the school last October when the school's situation was fully outlined. 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 further progression of the project at this time. In the meantime, however, the school authority 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.