John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Question 372: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the status of an application for funding towards insulation in respect of a school (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; when a decision is likely; and if he will expedite the matter. [47773/09]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Question 394: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if he has received an application for funding from a school (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; when a decision will be made on this application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48080/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 372 and 394 together.

I can confirm that the school to which the Deputies refer made an application to my Department in March 2007 for large scale capital funding for mainstream classroom accommodation, ancillary accommodation and refurbishment. The application has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria for large scale building projects and assigned a band 2.1 rating.

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.

I can also confirm that an application from the school in question for an energy efficiency grant was received in my Department and is currently under consideration. As soon as a decision is made, the school authorities will be informed. My Department is also in receipt of an application for funding under the Summer Works Scheme 2010 in respect of the school referred to by the Deputies. The Deputies will be aware that the closing date for the receipt of such applications was 27 November 2009.

The applications will now be processed and following an assessment process, projects will be selected for funding from all valid and approved applications on a top down basis in accordance with the prioritisation criteria published with the Scheme. The application from the school referred to by the Deputies will be considered in this context. In keeping with the timetable published with the governing Circular letter, I expect to be in a position to publish the list of successful applicants in March 2010.