Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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173. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will publish the specific criteria used in the selection of the schools announced on the building list on Friday 29 November 2013; the reason a school (details supplied) in County Dublin was not included on that list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55193/13]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I am pleased to advise the Deputy that a building project for the school to which he refers is currently at an early stage of the architectural planning process. The school authority and their Design Team are currently completing the Stage 2(a) report for submission to my Department. Following satisfactory completion of this report and subject to no issues arising, the project will be authorised to commence the application for statutory approvals, which includes the application for planning permission.

The projects included in the 2014 Construction Programme announced on 29th November last are scheduled to proceed to construction in 2014 and are part of the Five Year Plan launched in March 2012. 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.

School building projects, including the project referred to by the Deputy, which have not been included in the five year construction programme, but which were previously initiated will continue to be progressed to final planning stages in anticipation of the possibility of further funds being available to the Department in the future.