Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)

Deputy Stanton never wastes words in the House and it is always worthwhile to raise on the Adjournment an important subject relating to science and education. I thank him for raising this matter as it affords me the opportunity to outline to the House the strategy of the Department of Education and Science on capital investment in education projects and the current position regarding an application from the Christian Brothers' secondary school in Midleton, County Cork, received by the Department, for the refurbishment of science laboratories.

The school in question is an all-boys' secondary school, one of four post-primary schools serving the needs of the Midleton area. Enrolments at the school have been declining in recent years. The current enrolment is 426, while the combined enrolment in the four schools in the Midleton area is 1,907 pupils.

The upgrade of the science laboratories is included in an application from the school authorities as part of an overall refurbishment project for the school. With an extension project such as that proposed for the school, the condition of existing laboratory provision is assessed as part of the preliminary analysis of need. Where existing provision is deemed to be inappropriate or otherwise inadequate, either a complete refurbishment is undertaken or, alternatively, brand new facilities are provided. While the need for improved accommodation at the school is acknowledged it was not possible to include provision for this project in this year's school building programme.

The 2004 school building programme at primary and post-primary levels amounts to €387 million and will deliver more than 200 large-scale projects. However, it was not possible to include all necessary projects in one year's programme. The proposed project at the Christian Brothers' secondary school in Midleton is one of a number, which has to be considered in the context of future capital allocation for the provision of improved accommodation.

When publishing the 2004 school building programme, the Department of Education and Science outlined that its future strategy would be grounded in capital investment based on multi-annual allocations. Officers from the Department are reviewing all projects that were not authorised to proceed to construction as part of the 2004 school building programme with a view to including them as part of a multi-annual school building programme from 2005. They expect to be in a position to make further announcements on this matter in the course of the year. The needs of the Christian Brothers' secondary school in Midleton will be considered in this regard.

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