Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 126: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding plans for a new school (details supplied); the stage the development plans are at and when contract approval can expect to be given. [42008/10]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I can confirm that the school to which the Deputy refers has applied to my Department for large scale capital funding for a new school building. In accordance with the published criteria for large scale building projects, the project for this school has been assigned a Band 2 rating. Information in respect of the current school building programme along with all assessed applications for major capital works, including this project, is available on the Department's website at www.education.ie. The progression of all large scale building projects, including this project, from initial design 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 progression of the project at this time.

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 127: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if there is a problem with approvals for building projects for a school (details supplied); her views on the assertion that no approvals have been given for over 12 months to projects in this category; if she will list approvals given in the past 12 months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42009/10]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that all applications for capital funding from all categories of recognised schools are assessed in the Planning and Building Unit of my Department and assigned an appropriate band rating on the basis of need. 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, www.education.ie. The assessment process determines the extent and type of accommodation needed based on population growth, demographic trends, current and projected enrolments, recent and planned housing developments and the capacity of existing schools to meet the demand for pupil places. As part of this process, a project is assigned a band rating under the prioritisation criteria. I am attaching for the Deputy's information details of projects within the school category in question that are currently under construction, at tender stage and that have recently been completed. The progression of all further large scale building projects, including projects for schools within the category in question, 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 the Department, it is not possible to give an indicative timeframe for the progression of such projects at this time. I can assure the Deputy that all school building projects, including those referred to by him, will be advanced through the system, over time in accordance with the band rating assigned to them. In the meantime, it is open to all schools to apply to my Department for capital funding to meet any urgent accommodation needs.