Sandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
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Question 348: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a school (details supplied) in Cork City was omitted from the new school building programme having been deemed unfit for purpose and inadequate by a Department school inspector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18619/12]

Sandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
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Question 349: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will send a Department school inspector to a school (details supplied) in County Cork to document the ill effect using the school building every day has on the children's health; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18620/12]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 348 and 349 together. In view of the need to ensure that every child has access to a school place, the delivery of major school projects to meet the demographic demands nationally will be the main focus for capital investment in schools in the coming years. The five year programme announced recently is focused on meeting those demographic needs. In that context, it was not possible to advance all applications for capital funding concurrently. The building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is currently at an early stage of architectural planning. The Design Team are currently working on the Stage 2a Submission (Developed Sketch Design). School building projects currently in architectural planning, including the project referred to by the Deputy, will continue to be advanced incrementally over time within the context of the funding available. However, in light of current competing demands on my Department's capital budget, it is not possible at this time to progress this project to tender and construction stage. 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 might qualify for funding under my 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 my Department's website at www.education.ie.