Paul Connaughton Snr (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 360: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the overcrowding at a school (details supplied) in County Galway; his proposals for an extension to the school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32060/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy may be aware a project to provide an Additional Classroom, a PE hall and Ancillary accommodation was completed in August 2005, at the school to which he refers. The school have recently submitted an application for additional temporary accommodation.

The application and subsequent appeal submitted by the school was assessed with reference to the current accommodation, staffing and enrolment trends. In the context of the available funding and the number of applications received for that funding, it is not possible to approve all applications at this time. It was deemed that the current accommodation is sufficient to meet the schools accommodation requirements at this time.

Paul Connaughton Snr (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 361: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the overcrowding at a school (details supplied) in County Galway; his proposals to extend this school in the near future; if there is currently a devolved grant system which would allow the board of management to provide the extension even if a substantial amount of funding had to be raised locally; if his attention has further been drawn to the urgency in this case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32061/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I can confirm that the school to which the Deputy refers has made an application 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 an appropriate band rating. Information in respect of the current school building programme along with all assessed applications for major capital works, including the project referred to by the Deputy, are now available on my Departments website at www.education.ie.

The priority attaching to individual projects is determined by published prioritisation criteria, which were formulated following consultation with the Education Partners. There are four band ratings under these criteria, each of which describes the extent of accommodation required and the urgency attaching to it. Band 1 is the highest priority rating and Band 4 is the lowest. Documents explaining the band rating system are also available on my Department's website.

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.

An application for additional temporary accommodation was submitted by the school and was assessed with reference to the current accommodation, staffing and enrolment trends. In the context of the available funding and the number of applications received for that funding, it is not possible to approve all applications at this time. It was deemed that the current arrangement between the school in question and the Agricultural College was adequate to accommodate an additional class, if necessary.

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 362: To ask the Minister for Education and Science, following the introduction of a new scheme which he announced in July 2008 which allows schools with an urgent pressing need for additional accommodation which is likely to last more than three years, the schools which have been approved; the schools that are currently being approved; the schools which avail of the option of using their grants either to purchase prefabs or to construct permanent classrooms for the same amount; the total number of schools that have applied under this scheme for such facilities; if he can confirm that only one school has drawn down funding under this scheme to date in 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32063/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The schools approved funding for the purchase of prefabricated classroom(s)/construction of permanent classroom(s) in 2008 and 2009 are listed in the tabular statement. The list indicates which schools have opted to provide permanent accommodation for the same funding. The Deputy will note that a number of schools have not yet indicated to my Department which option they intend to pursue. €3.4m has issued to 44 schools to date this year. 70% of approved funding may be drawn down when a project goes to construction and the balance when a project is completed, subject to the necessary certification being supplied to my Department.

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 363: To ask the Minister for Education and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 179 of 24 June 2009, if the 19 schools have now submitted these invoices; the reason a school would not submit such an invoice when the prefab was in place and had been provided by the supplier and the liability for this school was still outstanding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32069/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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My Department grant aids school authorities for appropriate costs associated with rental of temporary accommodation, where such accommodation has been approved by my Department. Payment of the annual rental cost, upon receipt in my Department of the necessary supporting documentation, is generally made to schools in advance and in two instalments, i.e. January - June and July - December where rental is continuing or up to the expected date of cessation if for a shorter period.

The rental agreement for temporary accommodation is a matter to be managed by the school authority and the accommodation provider. Of the small number of schools who have yet to submit invoices for the January-June 2009 rental period, officials in the Planning and Building Unit of my Department have made contact with these schools to establish the position.