Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 623: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the status of an application for funding for an extension by a school (details supplied) in County Clare; if he will meet a delegation from the school and arrange for a technical visit of the school to take place with a view to allowing the project to go to tender, design and building phase in his next round of announcements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37319/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I can confirm that my Department has received an application for Major Capital funding for an extension including ancillary accommodation from the school to which the Deputy refers. The application has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria for large scale building projects and assigned a Band 2 rating. A request to meet with a deputation from the school has been received and is under consideration. A technical inspection will be arranged when the project is ready to progress and consistent with the priority attaching to the project.

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 was recently approved for funding for the provision of additional accommodation for one Mainstream Classroom.

John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 624: To ask the Minister for Education and Science when he will approve a grant to build a new school building for a school (details supplied) in County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37325/09]

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 funding for a new school building.

The application is currently being assessed and my Department will revert to the school authority on the matter shortly.

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.

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 625: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the fact that of the 15 classes provided by a school (details supplied) in Dublin 14, 12 are housed in prefabs and some of the prefabs have been in place since the 1970s; and if he will sanction the construction of the permanent new school due to the fact that the school received planning permission for same in May 2008. [37349/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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A major capital project for the school to which the Deputy refers is currently at an advanced stage of architectural planning.

The progression of all large scale building projects, including this project, from initial design stage through to construction is dependent on the prioritisation of competing demands on the funding available under the Department's capital budget.

The proposed building project will be considered in the context of the Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme for 2010 and subsequent years. 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.