Pádraic McCormack (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Question 297: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the provision of a new second level school to replace a college (details supplied) in County Galway; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33088/10]

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. The design team submitted an application for planning permission for the new school during the summer and are currently dealing with a request for further information from the Local Authority.

The progression of all large scale building projects, including this project, from initial design stage through to construction is dependent on the prioritisation of competing demands on the funding available under the Department's capital budget. The proposed building project for Clifden Community School, Co. Galway will continue to be considered in the context of the Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme for 2011 and subsequent years.

Pádraic McCormack (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Question 298: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the provision of a new Gaelscoil (details supplied) in County Galway; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33089/10]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I can confirm that the school to which the Deputy refers has submitted an application for major capital funding for a new 16 classroom school. The application was assessed and assigned a Band rating of 1.1. The proposed project was subsequently announced to commence Architectural Planning in November 2006.

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.

My Department has been in ongoing communication with officials in Galway County Council in relation to acquiring a suitable site for Gaelscoil de hÍde and has recently met with senior officials from the local authority to agree on the best approach to acquiring this site subject to planning permission. To this end my Department will now commence the preparation of a planning application in respect of the site negotiated by the Local Authority.

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 delivery of the project at this time.