Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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Question 21: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the progress to date towards the realignment of primary school provision at a location (details supplied); if an official in her Department has been given specific responsibility for facilitating the initiative; if further meetings to discuss the realignment are planned; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45914/10]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I can confirm that agreement was reached with the school authorities of the schools referred to by the Deputy, for the realignment of both schools to become fully vertical co-education facilities.

In this regard, it was agreed in the longer term, that both schools would become 24 teacher schools with the requisite support staff in terms of special needs. It is not envisaged, therefore, that further meetings will be required with regard to the realignment process. I am pleased to advise the Deputy that a school building project for one of the schools is at an advanced stage of the tender process. Subject to no impediment arising, it is anticipated that the contract for the building project will be awarded in early 2011. A building project is also required at the second school to complete the realignment process. In this context, a site visit by my Department's technical staff was due to take place last week. However, it was not possible to complete the visit due to the adverse weather conditions. A visit will be re-scheduled and my officials will be in contact with the school authority in this regard. The matter is being handled by my Department's Planning and Building Unit.

The progression of a building project for this school, from initial design stage through to construction will be considered in the context of the school building and modernisation programme. 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.