Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 495: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the different applications for capital works in respect of schools (details supplied) in Dublin 12, in particular the plan for a sports hall and for additional new school buildings for the primary school; and the reason there has been a delay in allowing these plans to proceed. [35476/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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There are 3 schools concerned in the Deputy's question, 2 primary schools and 1 post primary school. The first primary school was one of ten projects announced in January 2009 to be re-tendered. In order to prepare for tender and to comply with the new form of Government contract, the school was required to submit a new Stage 2b (detailed design).

Following the receipt and clearance of the Stage 2b (detailed design) submission, the project was authorised to go tender in July, and a tender report is awaited. When this has been received, the project will be considered for progression to the next stage i.e. the award stage. The second primary school was approved funding under the Summer Works Scheme for 2009 for a fire alarm. It received funding in previous years under this Scheme to upgrade its toilets and for entrance widening.

The post primary school 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.

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. In the meantime, the school has received funding under the Summer Works Scheme for 2009 to refurbish sciences labs and funding under the Department's Emergency Works Scheme for 2009 to upgrade its mechanical system.