139. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the progress on a new primary school project (details supplied) in County Longford; the reason for the delay in sanctioning the new building; why this project was not included in the five year construction programme, as the school was originally advised of this in 2006 by the then Minister for education; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39642/15]

I wish to advise the Deputy that the major building project for the school in question is currently at an advanced stage of architectural planning. All statutory approvals including planning permission, fire and disability access certificates have been secured. The Design Team have also confirmed that tender documents are complete. Due to competing demands on my Department's capital budget imposed by the need to prioritise the limited funding available for the provision of additional school accommodation to meet increasing demographic requirements, it was not possible to include this project in the 5 year construction programme announced in March 2012. However, school building projects, including the project in question, which have not been included in the current five year programme, will continue to be progressed to the final stages of architectural planning and are available to be considered in the context of the new 6 Year Construction Programme that I intend to announce in the coming weeks.