Noel Coonan (Tipperary North, Fine Gael)
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Question 289: 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 a decision will be made; if her attention has been drawn to the urgency of this application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28939/10]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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A project for the school referred to by the Deputy is currently at an advanced stage of architectural planning.

This project was included in the announcement of the 16th February 2010 of projects to proceed to the preparation of tender documents. The school's design team is working on the Stage 2(b) submission. My Department understands that an application for planning permission has been lodged and that a decision is awaited. The school authority and its design team have indicated to my Department that they will submit their Stage 2(b) documentation (detailed design, planning permission, tender documents etc.) as soon as possible after planning permission has been received.

Noel Coonan (Tipperary North, Fine Gael)
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Question 290: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding an application for building works by a school (details supplied) in County Tipperary; when a decision will be made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28940/10]

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 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 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 291: 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. [28941/10]

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 2.1 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, 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 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 292: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding an application for building works by a school (details supplied) in County Tipperary; when a decision will be made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28942/10]

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 referred to by the Deputy. The application has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria for large scale building projects and assigned a band 1.4 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, 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. 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.