Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 423: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if her attention has been drawn to the concern surrounding the proposed amalgamation of two schools (details supplied) in County Laois; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21345/10]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I can confirm to the Deputy that my Department has received an application for large scale capital funding to provide accommodation to cater for the amalgamation of the two primary schools in the town to which he refers. The application has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria for large scale building projects and assigned a band 1.4 rating. A technical inspection of the existing buildings found that neither would be suitable to act as a host for the new school. The report recommended a greenfield site solution.

A preferred site of 2 acres adjacent to the school was identified which, along with one of the existing school sites, could accommodate the amalgamated school. In December 2009, representatives of the school authority undertook to consider the acquisition of this site. My Department has not yet heard from the school authority regarding its consideration of this matter.

When the site is acquired, the progression of this project, as with all large scale building projects, from initial design stage through to construction phase will be considered in the context of the 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.