Anthony Lawlor (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a school building application by a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; his views on whether it would be more beneficial for the students and teachers at the school to incorporate the replacement of prefabs with a permanent structure and the upgrading of classrooms into one project as opposed to two separate projects which is currently being proposed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48314/12]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I wish to confirm for the Deputy that my Department has received an application from the school to which he refers for capital works to provide an extension. My Department is currently in the process of acquiring additional land for school purposes in the area which can also facilitate an extension at the school in question in due course. This acquisition is at an advanced stage. However, due to commercial sensitivities associated with site acquisitions generally, I am not in a position to comment further at this time. 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. The Deputy will appreciate, that in view of the financial constraints imposed by the need, as outlined in the Five Year Plan, to prioritise available funding for the provision of essential school accommodation to meet demographic demand, it is not possible to indicate at this point when a further project for the school in question will be progressed.

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will allow a primary school (details supplied) in County Mayo to spend money raised for a new school building project on a renovation of the present school building; if his Department will make matching funding available to the school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48317/12]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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The major school building project referred to by the Depurty is currently at an advanced stage of architectural planning. It is a matter for the school authority to expend its own funds as it sees fit. However, 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 include this project in the five year construction programme.