Dinny McGinley (Donegal South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 340: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the provision of a new school (details supplied) in County Donegal; if a site has been identified; if the site is being purchased; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3976/10]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that a site has been identified and Contracts for the acquisition of the site are being exchanged.

Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
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Question 341: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if, in view of the concerns highlighted to him by a school principal (details supplied), the steps he will take to ensure that work on the new school will commence in the future in order to ensure its completion by September 2010; if the acquisition of the site has been completed by the school patron; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a further request for information has been issued recently; if his further attention has been drawn to the fact that decisions with social and financial consequences must be taken within the next month if there is any possibility that the September deadline will be missed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4109/10]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that officials in my Department are aware of the issues affecting delivery of this project. Unfortunately, the delay in receiving Planning Permission stands to impact the schedule for delivery. The first request by the Local Authority for further information pursuant to the Planning application involved certain issues which were not raised at my Department's pre-planning discussions with the Local Authority.

These issues were addressed by my Department's team and submitted to the Local Authority. However, I understand that some further issues have recently been raised by the Local Authority. While a reply to the further request for information will be prepared and submitted as soon as possible, it is not possible at this stage to know whether the new school can be delivered for September 2010.

Furthermore, the progression of the project is also contingent on completion by the school Patron of the acquisition of the site for the proposed new school building which is still outstanding. The Patron is, understandably, unwilling to proceed with the acquisition until Planning Permission is obtained. When these matters are resolved the progression of the project to construction can be given further consideration.