Dinny McGinley (Donegal South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 157: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the number and names of all primary schools in County Donegal that have applied for extensions, refurbishment or renovation grants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18502/10]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Information in respect of the current school building programme along with all assessed applications for major capital works, including the Co. Donegal projects referred to by the Deputy, is 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.

For the Deputy's convenience, a list of 46 applications from Co. Donegal primary schools currently seeking major capital works building projects is set out for ease of reference.

Dan Neville (Limerick West, Fine Gael)
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Question 158: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide funding in 2010 for the completion of a new school (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18509/10]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South 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 large scale capital funding. The application has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria for large scale building projects and assigned a band 2.2 rating, reflecting the fact that the deficit in mainstream accommodation represents a significant proportion of the schools overall needs.

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, is 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. The Department is considering the most effective way of delivering this project, including examining the feasibility of allowing it to proceed as a Public Private Partnership project.

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.