Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 710: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the need for a school building for a school (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31382/10]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that the progression of a building project for the school to which she refers necessitates the acquisition of a site. The OPW has been instructed to negotiate the acquisition of a site for the school and my officials are in ongoing liaison with OPW on the matter.

Due to commercial sensitivities attaching to site acquisitions generally, I am not in a position to comment further at this time.

The progression of a project for the school, from site acquisition through to the initial design stage and construction 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 Department's capital budget, it is not possible to give an indicative timeframe for the progression of a project for the school at this time.

Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 711: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the need for a school building for a school (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31383/10]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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It is my Department's intention to provide a new building for the school to which the Deputy refers on a site which is being made available by the VEC.

The progression of a building project for the school, 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.

Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 712: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding an extension for a school (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31384/10]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I can confirm that the project to which the Deputy refers is currently at an advanced stage of architectural planning.

In April 2010, the stage 2a submission for the project was approved by my Department and the design team was authorised to proceed to apply for Planning Permission, Fire Certificate and Disability Access Certificate for the project.

When these statutory permissions have been successfully secured, the further progression of this project 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 my Department, it is not possible to give an indicative timeframe for the further progression of the project at this time.

Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 713: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the need for an extension for a school (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31385/10]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I can confirm that the project to which the Deputy refers is currently at an early stage of architectural planning.

My Department has been in contact with the school authority regarding the proposed project and is awaiting clarification on certain queries it has raised.

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 my Department, it is not possible to give an indicative timeframe for the further progression of the project at this time.

Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 714: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the decision to build a vocational education community college at Clonburris for the community of Lucan south, County Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31386/10]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Based on current demographic trends my Department anticipates that there will be a need for a further post-primary school in the Lucan area in the medium term.

Given the changing nature of Irish society and the projected need for a number of post primary schools to open in the medium term, the Department is considering a number of broad policy issues regarding the establishment of new post-primary schools. As part of this, consideration is being given to the setting up of a new framework in relation to the establishment of new second-level schools and their patronage. New schools where only very initial planning has taken place will be considered in the context of this framework when it is established.

The second-level school at Clonburris in Lucan is the only such school where a VEC has already been informed about patronage. It is not the case that patronage of this school has been withdrawn from County Dublin VEC rather the position is that the issue will receive further consideration in the light of the new framework. It was anticipated in 2008 that 2 new second level schools would be required in the general Clonburris area in Lucan. However, given the demographics in relation to the area and the nature of the planning, design and building process, no building has commenced yet and it is likely that only a single school will be needed in the area in the medium term.

The consideration of this new framework is not delaying the site acquisition, planning, design and building of second-level schools in any way.

In addition to the County Dublin VEC, an application has been made by Educate Together in relation to the proposed new school in Lucan. Furthermore, a general application in relation to schools in developing areas has also been received from the Loreto Education Trust.