Written answers

Tuesday, 19 January 2010

Department of Education and Science

Schools Building Projects

9:00 pm

Photo of Fergus O'DowdFergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 1031: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if he has any plans for an all-Irish post primary gaelscoil in south Louth and east Meath area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48618/09]

Photo of Batt O'KeeffeBatt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The Forward Planning Section of my Department is in the process of carrying out detailed analysis of over 40 locations of highest population growth in order to identify the school accommodation requirements up to and including the school year 2014/2015.

When the required reports have been completed for these initial areas selected the Forward Planning Section will continue to work on preparing reports on a priority basis for the remainder of the country.

Overall post-primary accommodation requirements in the South Louth and East Meath, including the case for the provision of a new Irish language post-primary school, will be considered in this regard.

Photo of Paul Connaughton  SnrPaul Connaughton Snr (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 1032: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the proposed new primary school at Cahergal, Tuam, County Galway; if funding is available to build the school; if his attention has been drawn to the overcrowding at the present school; if a new site has been selected and funding allocated for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48633/09]

Photo of Batt O'KeeffeBatt 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 Major Capital funding for a new school building. The application has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria for large scale building projects and assigned a Band 2 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, a 2.54 acre site was purchased by my Department to supplement the existing 0.48 acre site to provide a site for a new 6 classroom school. The site purchase has closed and the site is been transferred to me as Minister for Education and Science. The process of registering the site is underway.

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