James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 208: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the approval of an application for the funding of a new national school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1575/11]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The school to which the Deputy refers applied to my Department for large scale capital funding for a new school building. 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.

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 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.

I wish to clarify for the Deputy that in December 2009, my Department approved grant-aid to facilitate the re-location of the school from their original premises to temporary accommodation at the current site. The school authorities secured a three year lease on this site. My officials are in ongoing contact with the school authority regarding the school's long term accommodation needs.