I can confirm that it is my Department's intention to facilitate the rationalisation of primary school provision in the area to which the Deputy refers. Two building projects are needed to facilitate this, one of which is currently in the early stages of architectural planning.
Information in respect of the current school building programme along with all assessed applications for major capital works, including the projects in question, are now available on my Department's website at www.education.ie.
The priority attaching to individual projects is determined by published prioritisation criteria, which were formulated following consultation with the Education Partners. There are four band ratings under these criteria, each of which describes the extent of accommodation required and the urgency attaching to it. Band 1 is the highest priority rating and Band 4 is the lowest. Documents explaining the band rating system are also available on my Department's website.
The progression of all large scale building projects, including these 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 Department's capital budget, it is not possible to give an indicative timeframe for the progression of the projects at this time.