Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position in regarding a new school building (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47752/12]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I can confirm that the school referred to by the Deputy has an application with the Department for a major building project. Information in respect of the current school building programme along with all assessed applications for major capital works, including this project, is available on the Department's website at www.education.ie.

Due to competing demands on my Department's capital budget imposed by the need to prioritise the limited funding available for the provision of additional school accommodation to meet increasing demographic requirements, it was not possible to advance all applications for capital funding concurrently.

Schools, including the one referred to by the Deputy, which have not been included in the five year construction programme but which are currently in the early stages of architectural planning will be progressed incrementally through the various stages of the architectural planning process within the context of the funding available.

Earlier this year, the school was invited to partake in the prefab replacement initiative which includes replacing the school's existing prefabs with a permanent structure. However, for various reasons, the school has indicated that it is unable to participate in this initiative.