John Paul Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Question 219: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the funding for a much needed extension to a school (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23852/12]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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The delivery of the proposed extension at the school in question has been devolved to Co. Kilkenny VEC and I understand that the VEC will shortly commence the process of appointing a Design Team.

John Paul Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Question 220: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he is continuing to allocate devolved grants for extensions to school buildings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23853/12]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that as outlined in the Five Year Plan and in view of the need to ensure that every child has access to a physical school place, the delivery of major school projects to meet significant demographic demands nationally will be the main focus for capital investment in schools in the coming years. The Five Year school building programme is focused on meeting those demographic needs. This announcement represents major advances in how the school building programme is publicised, and will provide certainty to patrons and school communities concerning the major school building projects that my Department is in a position to progress.

I also wish to advise the Deputy that where an immediate enrolment need in an area has been identified e.g. the appointment of an additional teacher and where school's existing accommodation cannot provide for this growth, the Department will be prepared to consider applications by schools for capital funding for additional classrooms mainly on a devolved basis.

Any applications for grant aid for additional school accommodation can only be considered in the context of the challenges that I have outlined above.