Máire Hoctor (Tipperary North, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Deputy for giving me the opportunity of outlining to the House the Department of Education and Science's position regarding the provision of new premises for a gaelscoil in County Mayo. It is proposed to build a new ten-classroom school, based on an existing design that was previously used in the provision of a gaelscoil elsewhere. Initially, there were problems with the site acquisition and this delayed the progress of the project in applying for planning permission. The latter and a fire certificate have been obtained and the tender documentation is being finalised.

Under the national development plan, €4.5 billion is assigned to the capital requirements of the primary and post-primary sectors. Over €540 million will be spent this year on school buildings. The level of construction alone in the primary and post-primary sectors in 2007 is such that it will deliver more than 700 classrooms to provide permanent accommodation for approximately 17,500 pupils.

The progression of all large-scale building projects from initial design stage through to construction phase is considered on an ongoing basis in the context of the Department's multi-annual school building and modernisation programme, the main focus of which is to deliver school places within rapidly developing areas. As with all large-scale projects, the progression of a gaelscoil in County Mayo will be considered in this context. I assure the Deputy that the Department is committed to providing suitable high quality accommodation for a gaelscoil in County Mayo at the earliest possible date.

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