Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 651: To ask the Minister for Education and Science when a project (details supplied) in County Donegal will progress to the next stage; his views on whether it makes sense for his Department to progress this project in view of the fact that his Department is paying €114,881.20 per annum on rental of accommodation for students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4685/10]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The building project at the school referred to by the Deputy is at an advanced stage of architectural planning and has been assigned a band 1.1 rating. An enabling works contract to provide a new sewage plant and filtration bed at the school was approved in 2009. The progression of all large-scale building projects, including this project, is dependent on prioritisation of the competing demands on my Department's capital budget. The building project for this school will be considered in the context of my 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 my Department, it is not possible to give an indicative timeframe for the delivery of the project at this time.

Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 652: To ask the Minister for Education and Science when an extension project at a school (details supplied) in County Donegal will go to tender; when it will commence; the estimated completion date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4686/10]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The school to which the Deputy refers has applied to my Department for major capital funding. The application has been assessed in accordance with published prioritisation criteria for large scale projects and assigned a band 2 rating. 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 available on the Department's website, www.education.ie.

The progression of all large scale building projects, including this project, from initial design stage through to construction will be considered in the context of the school building and modernisation programme. However, in view of the level of demand on the Department's capital budget, it is not possible to give an indicative timeframe for the progression of the project at this time.