Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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Question 245: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the need for recommencement of the plans to proceed with the development of the new building of a school (details supplied) in County Galway; if he is in receipt of appeals from the local community to advance plans for a new fit for purpose school for Connemara; his views on whether the need for this work is made all the more urgent in view of the fact that there are thirteen feeder national schools linked with this secondary school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45173/09]

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.

A number of representations from members of the local community were received by my Department in the last few days. I met with a delegation in May 2009 regarding the school's building project. The delegation included members of the school's Board of Management, local political representatives as well as representatives of the local community. At the meeting, I confirmed that, due to changes in the brief for the project, it would be re-banded to Band 2.1. My Department is satisfied that this is the correct priority band rating for this project and that all relevant factors have been taken in to consideration in arriving at this rating.

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.