Brian Walsh (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Question 139: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will examine the feasibility of providing for the construction of a new school building in respect of a school (details supplied) in County Galway as a matter of immediate priority in view of the fact that €376,348 was spent last year on prefab rental and repairs to the existing building, which is in poor condition, and it is expected that a further €489,405 will be spent this year. [25689/11]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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The proposed building project for the schools referred to by the Deputy was not included in the school building works programme for 2011 announced earlier this year by my predecessor.

Last year, in line with my Departments strategy to reduce the level of expenditure on rental of temporary accommodation, my Department approved the purchase of prefabs at the schools which had previously been rented on an annual basis. In addition, funds were allocated to the schools in question under the Summer Works Scheme and the Emergency Works scheme.

The progression of all large scale building projects, including this project, from initial design stage through to construction phase will continue to be considered in the context of my Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme.

However, in light of competing demands on the capital budget of my Department it is not possible to give an indicative timeframe, at this time, for the progression of this project to tender and construction.

Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Sinn Fein)
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Question 140: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 167 of 21 July 2011, regarding the 17 new schools promised for Dublin, the number of same that are primary and post primary where these schools will be located; when same will be built and the criteria used in reaching a decision. [25743/11]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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As advised in my previous answer on 21st July 2011, it is expected that enrolments will increase nationally from a current enrolment at primary level of circa 509,652 pupils to circa 552,800 pupils by 2017 and at post-primary level from a current enrolment of circa 317,432 pupils to circa 342,300 pupils by 2017.

It is within this context that I recently announced that up to 40 new schools are to be established within the next six years, comprising of twenty new primary schools and twenty new post-primary schools. Of the 40 new schools, 18 will now be in the Dublin area as the new post primary school for North Dublin/South will be located in Balbriggan.

It is intended to provide 12 new primary schools and 6 new post primary schools across Dublin. Details of all the new schools to be established are available on the Department's website at www.education.ie. The table shows the locations of the Dublin schools for the Deputy's convenience.

A number of these new schools have opened in temporary accommodation but the majority of the schools will not need to open until at least 2014 with some of the schools not being required until 2016. Arrangements are underway to ensure that accommodation is in place for each of the schools as they are required.