197 Deputy Brian O’Shea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Science if the proposed new gaelscoil in Gracedieu, Waterford city, will commence construction in 2010; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14090/10]

The sequence for projects which have been approved to progress after the completion of the design stage, is the tender stage followed by the construction stage.

Due to industrial action on the part of some staff in the Department of Education and Science, I am not in a position to give the full details sought by the Deputy.

198 Deputy Michael Ahern asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Science the progress that has been made in the provision of a new school for a gaelscoil in Midleton, County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14098/10]

Due to industrial action on the part of some staff in the Department of Education and Science, I am not in a position to give full details of the schools referred to by the Deputy.

However, as the Deputy will be aware, on 16 February last, my predecessor made an announcement regarding projects to enter architectural planning and to proceed to tender and construction.

A project for the school in question was not included in this announcement. The progression of all large scale building projects, including this projects, from initial design stage through to construction phase will be considered in the context of my Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme. However, in light of current competing demands on the capital budget of the Department, it is not possible to give an indicative timeframe for the progression of the project at this time.

199 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Science the number of school building projects awaiting permission to proceed to construction, having passed all other stages; the names of these schools; and the length of time these schools have been waiting to proceed to construction. [14101/10]

200 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Science if he will confirm that there are no school building projects currently before her Department which have completed the tender stage and have planning permission in place or if there are such projects in this category; the names of the schools and the projects; and when the projects completed the tender stage in each case. [14103/10]

I propose to take Questions Nos.199 and 200 together.

The list of all projects currently at tender stage was provided to the Deputy on the 25th of March 2010.

There are currently no school building projects which have the necessary statutory approvals in place and have fully completed the tender process, that are awaiting permission to proceed to construction.

Subject to the necessary statutory approvals and no issues arising, it is intended that projects will progress to construction as soon as possible following completion of the tender process.