Séamus Healy (Tipperary South, Workers and Unemployed Action Group)
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328. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when he intends to make funding available for the provision of a new school and refurbishment of the existing building (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27969/13]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I can confirm to the Deputy that planning permission has been recently obtained for an extension for the school referred to by the Deputy. As the Deputy will however be aware, my Department's over-riding objective is to ensure that every child has access to a physical school place and that our school system is in a position to cope with increasing pupil numbers. To ensure that this is achieved, the delivery of major school projects to meet significant demographic demands nationally will be the main focus for capital investment in schools in the coming years. The five year programme is focused on meeting those demographic needs. The area in which the school, in question, is located has not been identifed as an area of significant demographic growth. In that context, it has not been possible to advance all applications for capital funding concurrently. All school building projects, including the project for the school in question, will continue to be advanced incrementally over time within the context of the funding available. However, in light of current competing demands on the Department's capital budget, it is not possible at this time to give an indicative timeframe for the construction of a new school building for the school.