Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Question 215: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when it is expected that construction will commence on the new post-primary school in Ballinamore, County Leitrim; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21375/11]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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The new post-primary school to be provided in Ballinamore, Co Leitrim is one of eight schools which were approved for inclusion in the 3rd Bundle of schools to be procured via Public Private Partnership.

This Bundle was handed over to the National Development Finance Agency (NDFA) in July 2010 to commence the tender procurement process.

This process is ongoing with tenders received this month. Subject to the successful completion of the procurement process, including securing the necessary Local Authority consents, it is anticipated that construction of the schools in this bundle will commence in the first quarter of 2012 and the accommodation is expected to be ready for occupation in September 2013.

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Question 216: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the progress made to date in relation to the establishment of a new second level school (details supplied) in County Cavan; when the project will proceed to the next stage; the likely timescale for construction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21376/11]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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The Deputy will be aware that I recently announced that 20 new primary and 20 new post-primary schools are to be established in the next six years. Of the 40 new schools, one new post-primary school will be located in County Cavan in the area referred to by the Deputy.

I also announced the introduction of new arrangements for the recognition of both primary and post-primary schools that will provide an opportunity for all patrons to seek to apply for patronage of these schools.

My Department will shortly inform patron bodies of the details of the first schools that are to be established. Applications for patronage of the new schools will then be sought.

It is not possible at this early stage to say when construction will commence.

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Question 217: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the proposal to provide permanent additional accommodation at a school (details supplied) in County Cavan; when this project is likely to proceed to construction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21377/11]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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The building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is currently at an early stage of architectural planning.

Officials from the Planning Building Unit of my Department have requested a meeting with the school and its Design Team to expedite the preliminary design process. When completed, the Stage 1 submission which incorporates the preliminary design will be submitted to my Department for technical review.

The next stages for the project will be the completion of stage 2(a) - Developed Sketch Design and stage 2(b) which will include applications for planning permission and other statutory approvals.

Until planning permission has been secured and stage 2(b) of architectural planning has been completed, it will not be possible to give an indication of the timeframe for completion of the subsequent tender and construction stages.

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Question 218: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the proposal to provide permanent additional accommodation at a school (details supplied) in County Cavan; when this project is likely to proceed to construction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21378/11]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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The building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is currently at an early stage of architectural planning.

Officials from the Planning and Building Unit of my Department met with the school and its Design Team recently to expedite the preliminary design process. When completed, the Stage 1 submission which incorporates the preliminary design will be submitted to my Department for technical review.

The next stages for the project will be the completion of stage 2(a) - Developed Sketch Design and stage 2(b) which will include applications for planning permission and other statutory approvals.

Until planning permission has been secured and stage 2(b) of architectural planning has been completed, it will not be possible to give an indication of the timeframe for completion of the subsequent tender and construction stages.

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Question 219: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when approval will issue in respect of the need to provide additional permanent accommodation at a school (details supplied) in County Cavan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21379/11]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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My Department is liaising with the school to which the Deputy refers regarding their accommodation needs and the school has undertaken to furnish material to my Department for consideration. When this is received and considered, the matter can be progressed further. In the meantime, I am pleased to inform the Deputy that my Department has recently approved four additional classrooms to meet the school's immediate accommodation needs.

Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Question 220: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding plans for the new community school at Clifden, Connemara, County Galway; and if he will provide a timeframe for the opening of the new school. [21407/11]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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The Project for Clifden Community School is included in the School Building Work Programme for 2011 which was announced on 24 January 2011.

The Design Team are currently working on finalising the Stage 2b submission (Detailed Design) which will then be submitted to my Department for review.

Subsequently assuming no further issues arise, my Department will be in contact with the Board of Management with regard to the further progression of the project.