Noel Coonan (Tipperary North, Fine Gael)
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Question 167: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the status of an application for building works for a school (details supplied) in County Tipperary; when she expects a decision to be made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35715/10]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The project referred to by the Deputy is at an advanced stage of architectural planning; authorisation was given earlier this year for tender documents to be prepared.

The design team are currently working on stage 2(b) which includes applications for Planning Permission, Fire Certificate and Disability Access Certificate (DAC) and the preparation of tender documents. On receipt of the necessary statutory approvals the design team will complete and submit their stage 2(b) report to my Department for technical review. Assuming no issues arise, it is envisaged that the project will progress subsequently to tender and construction.

Noel Coonan (Tipperary North, Fine Gael)
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Question 168: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the status of an application for building works for a school (details supplied) in County Tipperary; when she expects a decision to be made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35716/10]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the major capital project for the school to which he refers, was included in the Ministerial announcement earlier this year for the appointment of a design team.

The Department will be in contact with the school authority at the appropriate time in relation to the steps to be taken to enable the design team appointment.

Noel Coonan (Tipperary North, Fine Gael)
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Question 169: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the status of an application for building works for a school (details supplied) in County Tipperary; when she expects a decision to be made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35717/10]

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 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, is available on the 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 the 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 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.

Noel Coonan (Tipperary North, Fine Gael)
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Question 170: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the number of north Tipperary schools that have applied for and are waiting on capital funding for school building projects; the band rating and stage of these projects; the works that are to be carried out and the date of first application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35718/10]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Information in respect of the current school building programme along with all assessed applications for major capital works is available on my Department's website at www.education.ie. For the Deputy's convenience, I attach details of the particular schools to which he refers.

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 the Department's website.

Those projects which have been approved to proceed to tender and construction will do so in the coming months. The progression of all other large scale building projects 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 individual school projects at this time.

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 171: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills when works will be carried out to a school (details supplied) in Dublin 24 to deal with the ongoing problems faced by the staff, students and parents; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35728/10]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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My Department is aware of the difficulties that have arisen between the school in question, the building contractor and the Consultant Architect that has resulted in delaying the satisfactory conclusion of this project.

The bulk of the funding due for payment under the terms of the contract between the school and the contractor for this project has issued to the school on foot of appropriate certification that certain works have been completed. This is a normal requirement before funding can be provided in relation to school projects.

The dismissal of the Consultant Architect by the school authority has created difficulties in relation to final certification of the satisfactory completion of the project and, consequently, payment of the balance of funding due. Officials from my Department have visited the school and my Department will be in contact with the school management authorities again shortly to invite them to a meeting to discuss their ongoing difficulties.

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 172: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the planned development of a new school (details supplied) in County Cork [35738/10]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy will be aware that planning permission for the proposed new school was granted in May and the acquisition of the site was completed by the Patron in recent weeks.

Discussions are currently underway with the preferred bidder. When these discussions have concluded, the implications for the project will then be examined.

My Department will continue to liaise with the patron and the school authorities regarding the proposed project.