Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)

Turning to the specific matter in hand, which I am sure will interest Deputy Coveney, St. Angela's College is an all girls' post-primary school which had an enrolment of 521 pupils in 2006 and 2007. Enrolments at the school have remained stable over the past five years.

An extension and refurbishment project proposed for the school is at the early stages of architectural planning. The existing school site is restricted. The trustees have advised the Department that the Ursuline Order is willing to sell the convent building and gardens to the Department and that they are prepared to cede to them the current school building and site. The Department requested the projects design team to complete a schedule of accommodation based on 500 pupils giving consideration to the utilisation of the existing school building and site only; and utilisation of the existing school building and site and the St. Angela's convent building and grounds.

The design team quantity surveyor was requested to update the estimated costs for the proposed project, taking into account decanting costs and the implications of the potential options. It is understood, following consideration by the design team, that to provide accommodation for a 500 pupil school, the convent building and gardens will be required. The convent building and grounds have been independently valued and this information is currently being considered by the Department.

Progression of this project is predicated on the acquisition of the convent building and gardens and the extension and refurbishment of the existing buildings, which will include the need to decant the existing cohort of students. The proposed building project for St. Angela's will be considered for progression in the context of the multi-annual school building and modernisation programme.

I thank the Deputy once again for raising the matter and allowing me to outline the position regarding St. Angela's School, Patrick's Hill, Cork city.

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