Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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62. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if a decision has been made regarding funding for a school (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43266/13]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I can confirm to the Deputy that the school referred to has made an application to my Department for significant capital funding for refurbishment works.

In view of the need to ensure that our school system is in a position to cope with increasing pupil numbers, the delivery of new schools, together with extension projects, are being prioritised in the 5 Year Plan to meet significant demographic growth. As it is not possible to give an indicative timeframe for the progression of this school project at this time, the school has been asked to consider an alternative option towards addressing their accommodation needs.

In that regard, my Department wrote to the school authority advising that they identify the most urgent critical works, the costs associated with those works and to consider how such works might be phased and submit their proposals to my Department for consideration. A response is awaited from the school authority and once received, the matter will be considered further.

Derek Nolan (Galway West, Labour)
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63. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the application for new accommodation, including a timeframe for the delivery of a new educational campus for an Educate Together primary school (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43271/13]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department is in regular communication with the school to which he refers regarding the school's accommodation needs. I am pleased to confirm to the Deputy that my Department has approved additional temporary accommodation for September 2013 to accommodate the school's increasing enrolments.

In respect of the school's longer term needs, I understand that the school authority is endeavouring to identify suitable alternative accommodation. My Department will continue to liaise with the school in this regard.

Derek Nolan (Galway West, Labour)
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64. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the plans he has to establish a multi-denominational post primary school in County Galway in view of the increased population figures in recent years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43272/13]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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As the Deputy may be aware, two new post-primary schools (in Doughiska and Claregalway) opened in September 2013, both of which are multi-denominational in ethos. These new schools were established in order to provide sufficient places for the increased numbers of post-primary pupils within the general area.

The Forward Planning Section of my Department will continue to analyse demographic data for all areas of the country, including Galway county, to identify where new schools will be required over the coming years. Should the need for any new post primary schools emerge in Galway county it will be open to Patron bodies to apply for patronage in line with the established process, which was announced in June 2011.