Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 111: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if she will establish a new primary school (details supplied) in County Kildare on the basis that there is a strong demand for multi-denominational education within the area and a large increase in the school-going population; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44007/10]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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A review of the procedures for the establishment of new primary schools is currently being carried out under the Commission on School Accommodation. In the interim it is not proposed to recognise any new primary schools, except in areas where the increases in pupil numbers cannot be catered for in existing schools and which require the provision of new schools. The Commission is due to report to me shortly at which time I will have to consider the policy matters and necessary arrangements and revised procedures that will need to be put in place.

The Forward Planning Section of my Department has carried out a study of the country to identify the areas where, due to demographic changes, there may be a requirement for significant additional school provision at both primary and post-primary levels over the coming years. This study has been conducted using data from the Central Statistics Office, the General Register Office and the Department of Social Protection and with reference to recent schools' enrolment data.

The most recent projections used by my Department would see the projected enrolments at primary level increase from the current total enrolment of circa 505,600 pupils to an expected enrolment circa 563,300 pupils by the year 2016. It is within this context that the Forward Planning Section of my Department will continue to analyse demographic trends to determine the level of additional provision which will be required into the future. Overall requirements in the area referred to by the Deputy will be considered in this context.

The progression of all large scale building projects arising from Forward Planning Section's analysis will be considered in the context of my Department's School Building and Modernisation Programme.

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin North, Fianna Fail)
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Question 112: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding an application for a permanent extension to a school (details supplied) in County Dublin; when a design team will be appointed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44028/10]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I can confirm to the Deputy that my Department is in receipt of an application from the school to which he refers for large scale capital funding for an extension which has been assigned a band rating of 1.1.

Information in respect of the current school building programme along with all assessed applications for major capital works 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 stage through to construction phase will be considered in the context of the Department's multi-annual 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 the project at this time.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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Question 113: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if she has received an application from an organisation (details supplied) for the establishment of a primary school in Athy, County Kildare; if population projections for the area indicate that an additional primary school is required; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44039/10]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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In July 2008 Notifications of Intention to apply for recognition for a new primary school in Athy, County Kildare was received by my Department from the patron body referred to by the Deputy.

A review of the procedures for the establishment of new primary schools is currently being carried out under the Commission on School Accommodation. In the interim it is not proposed to recognise any new primary schools, except in areas where the increases in pupil numbers cannot be catered for in existing schools and which require the provision of new schools. The Commission is due to report to me shortly at which time I will have to consider the policy matters and necessary arrangements and revised procedures that will need to be put in place.

The Forward Planning Section of my Department has carried out a study of the country to identify the areas where, due to demographic changes, there may be a requirement for significant additional school provision at both primary and post-primary levels over the coming years. This study has been conducted using data from the Central Statistics Office, the General Register Office and the Department of Social Protection and with reference to recent schools' enrolment data.

The most recent projections used by my Department would see the projected enrolments at primary level increase from the current total enrolment of circa 505,600 pupils to an expected enrolment circa 563,300 pupils by the year 2016. It is within this context that the Forward Planning Section of my Department will continue to analyse demographic trends to determine the level of additional provision which will be required into the future. Overall requirements in the Athy area will be considered in this context. The progression of all large scale building projects arising from Forward Planning Section's analysis will be considered in the context of my Department's School Building and Modernisation Programme.

Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 114: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills when a decision will be made on the submission for a devolved grant for a school (details supplied) in County Waterford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44056/10]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I can confirm that the school to which the Deputy refers has recently made an application to my Department for major capital funding for an extension. The application will be assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria for large scale building projects and assigned a Band rating which will be published on my Department's website at www.education.ie and notified to the school authority.