Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. As he said, it is a school in which I have a particular interest. I endorse all his points about its excellence and superb teaching record. I will outline the response of the Minister for Education and Science to the query about the school.

The design process is under way for a large-scale building and refurbishment project at the school to cater for a long-term projected enrolment of 600 girls, although according to Deputy Howlin that figure has already been overtaken. The planned extension consists of a total area of 1,588 sq. m. and will include specialist rooms such as a PE hall, and general classroom accommodation.

The project is at an early stage of architectural planning and a stage two submission has been received. It has been given a band rating of 2.4 in accordance with the 2005 published criteria for prioritising large-scale projects. This project was not sufficiently advanced in architectural design to be considered for inclusion in the recently announced 122 major school building projects that will progress to tender and construction phase over the next 12-15 months under the €3.4 billion multi-annual funding secured for the years 2005 to 2009.

The Minister for Education and Science is anxious to ensure that a consistent flow of projects to tender and construction can be sustained. The Minister also plans to make several announcements soon on the schools building and modernisation programme, including details of those school projects which will progress through the design process. All projects in architectural planning, including the school in question, will be considered as part of this process.

I will pass on the Deputy's comments and cogent arguments. These were echoed by my sister-in-law when she spoke to me privately on the issue. I thank the Deputy once again for raising the matter and I will draw his concerns and my own to the attention of the Minister.

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