Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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121. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 91 of 15 June 2016, what commitment was given regarding the building of an extension to a school (details supplied) and to explain where the allocated funding has gone; if the loss of funding came as a result of a failure on his Department's part to budget correctly for capital projects; if this failure can be or has been remedied with the result that the project can go ahead as previously confirmed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18121/16]

Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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122. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 91 of 15 June 2016 the reason he reneged on the commitment given to begin works on a school (details supplied) in 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18122/16]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 121 and 122 together.

The building project for the school to which the Deputy refers is included in the 6 year construction programme 2016-21 which was announced in November 2015.

However, as the deputy has been informed, 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. This has meant that the progression to tender stage of the major extension and refurbishment project for this school is not possible at this time. My Department officials wrote to the Board of Management of the school on 28th April notifying them of this.

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.

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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123. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his position on the funding for a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18152/16]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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The project to which the Deputy refers has been devolved for delivery to the Louth and Meath Education and Training (LMETB). Approval has recently been given to the LMETB for the project to proceed to Tender Stage.

In relation to the immediate accommodation requirements, my Department has sent the school authorities the relevant application form to apply for temporary accommodation pending completion of the proposed extension. This matter will be considered further on receipt of the completed form from the school.