Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Question 1243: To ask the Minister for Education and Science when a technical team from the school planning section of his Department will visit a school (details supplied) in County Kerry in view of the fact that the school is waiting since January 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33881/09]

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 Department's 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.

In order to determine how best to provide for the school's accommodation needs, it will be necessary to have a technical assessment of the existing buildings carried out. This would normally be carried out when the project is being progressed.

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.

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Question 1244: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the provision of a new school at a location (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33882/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The project to which the Deputy refers is currently at an advanced stage of architectural planning. The progression 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 delivery of the project at this time.