Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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124. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills why he has removed a school (details supplied) from the list of major projects considering that it had been announced to proceed to construction in 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17417/16]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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126. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will make funding available for a school (details supplied) so that it can reopen in August 2016, considering that the school building project announced in November 2015 has been postponed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17420/16]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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127. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will arrange for Departmental officials to visit a school (details supplied) so that the school building project can be prioritised for progression through the tender process with a view to starting on site as soon as possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17421/16]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos 124, 126 and 127 together.

The school building project for the school in question is at an advanced stage of architectural planning. All statutory approvals have been obtained and the Stage 2b submission has been approved by my Department.

However, on 1st January 2016 there were 66 major projects under construction. Since the start of this year 14 more major projects have been progressed to construction and there are currently 36 projects authorised to progress through the tender process with a view to starting on site in the coming months. That represents a total of 116 major projects either under construction or progressing to commence construction in 2016. The existing contractual commitments for 2016 now fully account for the funding allocation available in 2016.

My officials will continue to closely monitor expenditure on existing contractual commitments over the coming months and, as funding allows, other projects, including the project for the school in question will be considered for progression through the tender process with a view to starting on site as soon as possible.

My officials in the Planning and Building Unit will keep the school informed of any decisions made in regard to the progress of the building project as they continue to monitor expenditure levels in the coming months.

In the meantime, for works that are of an urgent nature, it is open to the school authorities for the school in question to consider if the works qualify for funding under the Department's Emergency Works Scheme. An emergency is deemed to be a situation which poses an immediate risk to health, life, property or the environment which is sudden, unforeseen and requires immediate action. Details of the Scheme, together with an application form for grant assistance, can be accessed on my Department's website at www.education.ie.