Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 662: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if he will confirm that his Department's forward planning unit has received an application to erect a new primary school at Rathwire Killucan, County Westmeath; the status of this proposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22459/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I can confirm that my Department is in receipt of an application for major capital funding from the school to which the Deputy refers. I recently met with a deputation from the school to discuss its accommodation needs and I am aware that the Patron has donated a site for the provision of a new school building. The deputation was advised that the Forward Planning Section of my Department is currently identifying the areas throughout the country where significant additional accommodation will be needed at primary and post primary level in the medium to long term. Factors under consideration include population growth, demographic trends, current and projected enrolment, recent and planned housing developments and the capacity of existing schools to meet demand for places. The accommodation needs of the school in question will be considered both in this context and that of the competing demands on my Department's capital budget.

Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 663: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding an application to construct a new school by a school (details supplied) in County Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22460/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The new post primary school project in County Westmeath referred to by the Deputy is included in the list of seven schools which I approved for inclusion in the 3rd Bundle of schools to be procured via Public Private Partnership in December 2008. This Bundle is in the pre procurement stage. Detailed output specifications and Public Sector Benchmark are being prepared and outline local authority planning permission applications are being prepared where necessary. On successful completion of this process, it is my intention that the Bundle will be handed over to the National Development Finance Agency (NDFA) for procurement. The indicative timeframe for the delivery of a PPP school currently stands at approximately 4 years from the date the Bundle is announced.