Noel Coonan (Tipperary North, Fine Gael)
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Question 166: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding an application for building works in respect of a school (details supplied) in County Tipperary; when he expects a decision to be made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23871/10]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I can confirm that the school to which the Deputy refers made an application to my Department for large scale capital funding for an extension. The application has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria for large scale building projects and assigned a band 2.4 rating. 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, are 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 next step with this project is for a design team to be appointed. On 16 February last, details of large scale capital projects proceeding under my Department's Capital programme for 2010 were announced. It was not possible to include this project in that announcement.

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. 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.

Noel Coonan (Tipperary North, Fine Gael)
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Question 167: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a capital project at a school (details supplied) in County Tipperary; when the project will move to the next stage; the reasons for the delay in progressing the project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23872/10]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the project to which the Deputy refers was included in the announcement on 16 February of projects progressing to tender and construction. The project is at an advanced stage of architectural planning. A Stage 2b submission was received in my Department in May 2010 and comments issued to the VEC earlier this week requiring some revisions to the tender documentation. My Department is currently awaiting written confirmation from the VEC and the design team with regard to the necessary revisions. When confirmation is received that these revisions are complete the project will be authorised to progress to tender.

Noel Coonan (Tipperary North, Fine Gael)
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Question 168: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding an application for a refurbishment and extension project in respect of a school (details supplied) in County Tipperary; the timeframe for completion of works; the works to be carried out; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23873/10]

Noel Coonan (Tipperary North, Fine Gael)
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Question 169: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a school building project (details supplied) in County Tipperary; the reason for the delay in processing this application; the reason the project has been put on hold; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23874/10]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 169 and 168 together.

I can confirm that the school to which the Deputy refers made an application to my Department for large scale capital funding for an extension. The application has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria for large scale building projects and assigned a band 2.1 rating. 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, are 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 next step with this project is for a design team to be appointed. On 16 February last, details of large scale capital projects proceeding under my Department's Capital programme for 2010 were announced. It was not possible to include this project in that announcement. 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. 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.

Noel Coonan (Tipperary North, Fine Gael)
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Question 170: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a school (details supplied) in County Tipperary which has applied for major capital funding; the timeframe for completion of works; the works to be completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23876/10]

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 for an extension. The application has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria for large scale building projects and assigned a band 3.1 rating. 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, are 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 next step with this project is for a design team to be appointed. On 16 February last, details of large scale capital projects proceeding under my Department's Capital programme for 2010 were announced. It was not possible to include this project in that announcement. 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. 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.