Tim O'Malley (Limerick East, Progressive Democrats)

I thank the Deputy for raising the matter as it affords me the opportunity to outline the Government's strategy for capital investment in education projects, and also to outline the position regarding Gaelscoil Chloch na Coillte, Clonakilty community college and Knockskeagh national school.

Modernising facilities in our 3,200 primary and 750 post-primary schools, as well as responding to emerging needs in areas of rapid population growth, is a major priority for the Government. Since taking office, it has shown focused determination to improve the condition of our school buildings and ensure the appropriate facilities are in place to enable the implementation of a broad and balanced curriculum.

As evidence of this commitment, there will be in the region of 1,300 building and modernisation projects active in our primary and post-primary schools during 2006. This year alone, in the region of €500 million is being spent on primary and post-primary projects throughout the country, compared to approximately €90 million in 1997. I am sure the Deputy will agree this record level of investment is a positive testament to the high priority the Government attaches to the challenge of school modernisation and development.

Turning to the specific matter in hand, Gaelscoil Chloch na Coillte is a co-educational school with an enrolment of 232 pupils in September 2005. Although the September 2006 enrolment has yet to be confirmed, the Department of Education and Science understands that enrolments have increased by approximately 20% in the past five years. The school has a current staffing of principal plus nine mainstream teachers, one learning support and resource teacher and two resource teachers.

The school planning section of the Department has determined the appropriate level of accommodation to be provided will cater for a principal and 12 mainstream class teachers and appropriate ancillary activities. A suitable site has now been acquired to facilitate the construction of a new 12-classroom school, which will meet the school's long-term needs. This project is under active consideration in the Department.

Clonakilty community college is one of two schools serving the post-primary education needs of Clonakilty. These are Clonakilty community college, which is co-educational; and Sacred Heart secondary school, which is all girls. Clonakilty community college was formed in 1980 as a result of the amalgamation of the town's vocational school and St Mary's boys' secondary school and it operates under the aegis of County Cork VEC. The community college was built in 1980 to cater for 400 pupils and since then additional accommodation has been provided to cater for increasing enrolments.

Cork VEC requested that the Department review the accommodation at the college and make capital funding available for a refurbishment and extension. This application was processed having regard to all relevant factors, including enrolment and demographic trends in the area and the overall accommodation requirements of the post-primary schools in Clonakilty. An accommodation brief to cater for a long-term enrolment of 550 pupils has been agreed with the school authorities. Schedules of accommodation were revised earlier this year to ensure the appropriate level of accommodation is provided in order to meet the school's long-term needs.

Knockskeagh national school is a co-educational school with an enrolment of 105 pupils in September 2005. Although the September 2006 enrolment has yet to be confirmed, the Department understands enrolments are relatively stable at this school. It has a current staffing of principal and three mainstream teachers, one learning support and resource teacher and one resource teacher.

The management authority of this school declined an offer of funding made under the small schools scheme 2006 to provide appropriate accommodation for a four-teacher school on the basis that it could not deliver the required accommodation within the grant approved. It also raised the need to review the long-term accommodation needs of the schools as it had indications that the school population is set to increase in the medium to long term. This re-assessment of the school's projected enrolment and long-term projected staffing is nearing completion and, when finalised, a decision on how best to provide for the long-term needs will be taken.

Once again I thank the Deputy for affording me the opportunity to outline the position on these particular school projects and highlight the enormous work being undertaken by the Department of Education and Science in implementing the school building and modernisation programme to ensure infrastructure of the highest standard is available for all our school-going population.

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