Ulick Burke (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 177: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills her plans for the provision of a new school (details supplied) as the local board of management has provided a site as the present school is overcrowded, on a restricted site, with health risks for children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39420/10]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The school to which the Deputy refers has applied to my Department for large scale capital funding for an extension and refurbishment. 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, is available on the Department's website at www.education.ie.

My Department understands that it is the Board of Management's intention to procure a site for a new school. The progression of all large scale building projects, including a project for this school, 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 Department's capital budget, it is not possible to give an indicative timeframe for the progression of the project at this time. My officials have conveyed this position to the school authority.

In the meantime, I am pleased to inform the Deputy that my Department has recently approved devolved funding to the school authority to construct two classrooms to meet the school's immediate accommodation needs. My Department understands that it is the school authority's intention to construct two permanent classrooms with this funding on the school's existing site.