John Brassil (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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126. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if funding will be provided to a school (details supplied) to allow the building of a new school building; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7775/17]

Danny Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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133. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when he will provide a new national school (details supplied). [7963/17]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 126 and 133 together.

I can confirm to the Deputy that my Department met with the school referred to in the context of an application received for a replacement school. The school were advised that, due to the need to prioritise available funding towards the provision of essential classroom accommodation to meet demographic demand, it would not be possible to progress a major project for the school at this time. The school were also advised that should enrolment numbers justify the appointment of an additional teacher and if it was not possible to accommodate this teacher within the school, that the school could submit an application to my Department for an additional classroom at that point.

I also wish to advise the Deputy that since 2009 over €325,000 has been approved by my Department to provide additional accommodation and to improve the existing building facilities. The Deputy will be aware that more recently, my Department approved funding of over €28,000 under the Summer Works Scheme for electrical upgrade works.