Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 159: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the band rating system operated by her in respect of school building projects; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3713/11]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

As the Deputy will be aware, all applications for capital funding are assessed in the Planning and Building Unit of the Department of Education and Skills. The assessment process determines the extent and type of need presenting based on the demographics of an area, proposed housing developments, condition of buildings, site capacity etc. leading ultimately to an appropriate accommodation solution.

As part of this process, a project is assigned a band rating under published prioritisation criteria for large scale building projects. These criteria were devised following consultation with the Education Partners.

There are four Band Ratings overall, of which Band One is the highest and Band Four the lowest. Band One projects, for example, include the provision of buildings where none currently exists, but there is a high demand for pupil places, while a Band Four project makes provision of desirable but not necessarily urgent or essential facilities. Each Band rating has a number of sub categories which more specifically describes the type of works needed and the urgency attaching to them.

Full details of the band ratings are available in the document which I have included for the Deputy's convenience and which is also available on the Department's website at www.education.ie.