Sandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
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Question 20: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will review the decision to exclude a school (details supplied) in County Galway from the capital building programme, while at the same time looking for expressions of interests for a new Gaelscoil school in the same area, in which there is still capacity in adjacent schools to take up any envisaged increase in pupil numbers in the foreseeable future. [25782/12]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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The decision to open a new school in Knocknacarra was made following a detailed study of the available demographic data for the area. My officials had a meeting with a deputation of principals from the area in late March to discuss the local principals' concerns regarding the need for a new school in the area. The issues raised by the principals at that meeting are being considered further.

For the five year construction programme, new school building projects as well as major extensions have been prioritised to meet projected increases in demographic needs in areas where such needs have been identified as being most acute.

School building projects currently in architectural planning, including the project referred to by the Deputy, will continue to be advanced within the context of the funding available. However, in light of current competing demands on my Department's capital budget, it is not possible to progress this project to construction at this time.

Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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Question 21: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will prioritise the immediate construction of a school (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25720/12]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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The major building project for the school referred to by the Deputy has been included in the 5 year construction programme announced in March. The project is at the very early stage of architectural planning and has been scheduled to commence construction in 2015/16.

The Design Team has, earlier this month, started work on Stage 1 of architectural planning and has been invited to set a date for a meeting with the Department when they are ready to present their initial design strategy.

Once that strategy has been agreed, the design team will then progress the project through the remaining stages of architectural planning, completing the detailed design of the new school, securing planning permission and preparing the tender documents. The project will then progress to tender and construction in line with the schedule outlined above.