Conor Lenihan (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Deputy for raising this matter and welcome the opportunity to outline to the House the position regarding the provision of post-primary education in Kinvara, County Galway.

On 16 May 2007, the Minister for Education and Science announced the provision of a new second level school for the Kinvara area. This decision was and remains predicated on the Mercy Order, as trustees of Seamount college, accepting first year students each year until the end of the 2011-12 school year. Subsequent to the announcement by the Minister for Education and Science, the trustees did indeed accept first year students this September. The trustees in announcing their decision also indicated that their decision to close Seamount college by 2012 stands.

The Deputy will appreciate planning for a new school involves a number of processes which can take some time to complete, most notably the acquisition of a suitable site; the design of a building, the grant of planning permission, the seeking of tenders and construction. Many of these factors are outside the direct control of the Department. At present, the commission on school accommodation is continuing its work on the identification of accommodation needs in the south Galway area, including the position relating to provision in Kinvara. Further progression of a new second level school to serve the area will be developed having regard to the positions I have outlined.

I thank Deputy Burke once again for raising the matter. My Government colleagues, Deputies Michael Kitt and Noel Treacy, have also pressed the Minister on this issue, as have other Deputies from the Clare area.

See this speech in context