Tony McLoughlin (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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292. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a school (details supplied) in County Sligo was not included in his five year plan for school buildings, 2012 to 2016, despite the fact that more than 185 pupils have been accommodated in prefabs since 1996; in view of the large number of applications for the coming years, if he will consider revising his five year plan for school buildings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19093/13]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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The school referred to by the Deputy has an application with my Department for large scale capital funding for a new school building. The current status of all schools on the school building programme may be viewed on my Department's website at www.education.ie. The Deputy will be aware that the Five Year Construction Plan, that I announced on 9 March 2012, outlines the major school projects that will commence construction over the duration of the Plan. The primary aim at the core of the Five Year Plan is focussed on meeting demographic demands to ensure that every child will have access to a physical school place and that our school system is in a position to cope with increasing pupil numbers.

Given the need to meet demographic growth, the delivery of new schools, together with extension projects, to meet future demand will be the main focus of the Department's budget for the coming years. In this context, it is not possible to indicate at this point when a building project for the school in question will be progressed. My Department will however consider applications by the schools for funding for additional classrooms where an immediate enrolment need is arising.

Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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293. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will confirm when a planned new school (details supplied) in County Offaly will proceed in view of the fact that parents were promised that the school would be complete by September 2013 but work has yet to start;; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19109/13]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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My Department is endeavouring to maximise the efficient use of all available capacity in the public sector to assist in the delivery of the schools programme and in this context the new school building for the school mentioned by the Deputy is one of 15 school projects where responsibility for the delivery of the projects was devolved to the Office of Public Works (OPW).

Four of these projects were tendered by the OPW in early 2013. The OPW have recently forwarded a tender report for these school projects to the Department. The Department, in consultation with the OPW, is currently considering these documents. These projects are categorised on the 5 year Capital Programme as projects due to go to construction in 2013. There will be some delay in the project mentioned by the Deputy going to construction and the Department is in contact with the school to ensure that there is sufficient accommodation for September 2013.