Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 233: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the proposed improvements at a school (details supplied) in County Sligo; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19812/10]

Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 234: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills her plans to build a new school on a green-field site in an area (details supplied) in County Sligo; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19813/10]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 233 and 234 together.

The school to which the Deputy refers applied to my Department for major capital works in October 2006.

The application was 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 also available on the Department's website.

The Department's technical staff conducted a site suitability assessment at the end of March this year and the issues raised following this site visit are now being addressed.

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.