Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 87: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he is in receipt of an application for an extension and renovation from a school (details supplied); if his attention has been drawn to the serious health and safety issues at this school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14610/11]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I can confirm that the school to which the Deputy refers has made an application to my Department for large scale capital funding for an extension. The application was assessed and assigned a band rating of 2.

The progression of all large scale building projects, including this project, from initial design stage through to construction is dependent on the prioritisation of competing demands on the funding available under the Department's capital budget. This project 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 capital budget of my Department, it is not possible to give an indicative timeframe for the progression of the project at this time.

In the meantime, for works that are of a very urgent nature, it is open to the school authorities to consider if the works in question qualify for funding under the Department's Emergency Works Scheme. An emergency is deemed to be a situation which poses an immediate risk to health, life, property or the environment which is sudden, unforeseen and requires immediate action and, in the case of a school, if not corrected would prevent the school or part thereof from opening. Details of the scheme, together with an application form for grant assistance, can be accessed on the Department's website at www.education.ie