Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the provision of a new secondary school (details supplied) in County Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5785/13]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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As the Deputy will be aware in June 2011, I announced that up to 40 new schools are to be established up to 2017 to cater for increasing demographics across a number of locations. These consisted of twenty new primary schools and twenty new post-primary schools. This announcement did not include a proposal to establish any new second level school in the area in County Westmeath referred to by the Deputy. The Forward Planning Section of my Department will continue to monitor enrolments in the area referred to by the Deputy to ensure that there is sufficient school accommodation to meet any projected future demands. If a decision is made to establish a new school in the area referred to by the Deputy, my Department will consider all suitable options for its location including the site referred to by the Deputy. This process will take into account the suitability of any site for the development of school buildings as well as the cost of acquiring it.

Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the provision of a new school (details supplied) in County Westmeath; if same will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5786/13]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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The school project referred to by the Deputy is included in the 5 year construction programme announced in March 2012 and is scheduled to progress to construction in 2015/16. The delivery method for the project is being finalised at the moment and the school authorities will be informed as quickly as possible.