P J Sheehan (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 484: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the completion and opening dates for new schools (details supplied) in County Cork. [40480/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The schools to which the Deputy refers are currently at different stages of the architectural planning process. Designs have been prepared for the school in Ballygarvan and an application for planning permission has been lodged. The further progression of the project is dependent on the receipt of the necessary statutory approvals. The school in Passage West is at an advanced stage of Architectural planning. An application has been made for planning permission and the Design Team are currently working on providing further information as requested by the Local Authority. The school in St. Patricks Hill is currently at an early stage of Architectural planning. Until such time as each of the schools progress to tender stage and a contractor is appointed it will not be possible to indicate when the projects will be completed.

P J Sheehan (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 486: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the proposed extension to a school (details supplied) in County Cork. [40482/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I can confirm that the schools to which the Deputy refers have made applications to my Department for large scale capital funding. The applications have been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria for large scale building projects and both were assigned a Band 1 rating. Information in respect of the current school building programme along with all assessed applications for major capital works, including the projects referred to by the Deputy, are now available on my Department's website at www.education.ie.

The Deputy will be aware that both schools were included in my announcement earlier this year of projects to enter architectural planning. Brief formulations are being finalised. The next step will be the appointment of design teams. The progression of all large scale building projects, including these projects, 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 projects at this time.