Tom Parlon (Laois-Offaly, Progressive Democrats)

I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. I am pleased to outline, on behalf of the Department of Education and Science, the position regarding the proposed amalgamation of St. Colman's boys national school and Scoil Náisiúnta Chlochair, which are the two primary schools in Kanturk, County Cork.

St. Colman's boys national school, which had an enrolment of 106 in 2004-05, is staffed by a principal, three mainstream assistants, a permanent learning support teacher and a permanent resource teacher. The enrolment of Scoil Náisiúnta Chlochair, a girls school that enrols boys in junior and senior infants only, has increased in recent years from 156 pupils in 2000-01 to 170 pupils in September 2004. It is staffed by a principal, five mainstream assistants and one permanent learning support and resource teacher.

The authorities in both schools are in favour of the amalgamation and the preferred option locally is for a new school building on a greenfield site. A technical assessment of the existing sites has accepted that there is a need for a new site, as neither of the existing sites lends itself to the development required to facilitate the amalgamation.

The proposed project has been assessed and banded in accordance with the Department's prioritisation criteria, which were revised last year after consultation with the education partners. The provision of the accommodation that is necessary to facilitate agreed amalgamations is assigned a band 1.4 rating, which will positively influence the timescale for the delivery of the project when a site has been acquired.

The long-term projected staffing on which the accommodation needs of the amalgamated schools will be based will be determined by officials from the Department of Education and Science in consultation with the two school boards. A detailed assessment of demographic trends, housing developments and enrolment trends will be undertaken to ensure that the capital funding that is provided will deliver accommodation that is appropriate to the needs of the amalgamated schools into the future. When that has been decided, the appointment of a design team for the project will be considered. The project will then be considered for progression in the context of the school building and modernisation programme 2005-09.

I thank the Deputy again for giving me the opportunity to outline to the House the position on the proposed amalgamation of the two national schools in Kanturk.

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