Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 111: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the supports that are available for a Gaeltacht school that wishes to develop a new playing pitch; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5437/11]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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All schools are eligible to submit an application for major capital funding for sporting facilities to my Department. Any application received will be assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria for large scale building projects. However, in light of the many demands on the capital budget of my Department, it is unlikely that a high priority will be assigned to such an application.

The published prioritisation criteria 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 available on the Department's website, www.education.ie.

My Department also operates the Summer Works Scheme under which necessary small-scale works to improve the integrity of buildings and their external environment that, ideally, can be delivered during the summer months are eligible for funding.