Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 147: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the number of planning applications for new or extended school buildings lodged to planning authorities where her Department has been informed of such, since the start of September; the number expected to be submitted up to the end of the year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40132/10]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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My Department has been made aware of eight planning applications for major school building projects which have been lodged since September 2010. It is expected that approximately fourteen planning applications for major school building projects will be ready to be lodged before the end of the year. This is subject to all prerequisites being in order and no issues arising.

The information above does not take into account projects for smaller works, the management of which, including the submission of planning applications, is devolved to school authorities. In addition my Department and the OPW are working towards submitting a number of applications by end 2010 as part of contract exchange between the Department and the relevant site vendor. The purpose of these applications is to ensure that the site to be purchased will be deemed suitable for land usage purposes to accommodate the required school. Due to the commercial sensitivities relating to site acquisitions, I am not in a position to comment further on the matter at this time.