Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle for the opportunity to raise this issue. I ask the Department of Education and Science, the Minister and the Government to outline to the House the progress that has been made as regards the amalgamation of the two schools in Kanturk, St. Colman's boys' school and the Convent of Mercy girls' school, as this initiative has been ongoing for some time.

Kanturk, like many provincial towns, has grown considerably and there is a major issue as regards space particularly in the boys' national school which is in dire need of extra facilities and space. In 2005, the current Minister and I took this issue by the scruff of the neck. The Minister visited the schools in November 2005 and looked at the situation at first hand. Then a commitment was given and following intervention to the patron of the schools, Bishop John Magee, he decided the amalgamation would go ahead and that the dioceses and the parish would provide the site. This matter has been ongoing since the spring of 2006 and to date we have not had any information as regards progress.

It raised its head during the recent general election when many issues and counter-issues were aired and a number of threatening e-mails were sent in relation to the proposed project. I understand that the Department has met with the boards of management since. However, I am asking the Minister of State, Deputy Jimmy Devins, on behalf of the Minister for Education and Science, to outline to the House what steps the Department has taken as regards ensuring that the amalgamation will take place as quickly as possible.

We were assured that it was a band 1 project and as such should move through the Department of Education and Science speedily. As I have outlined to the House, there is a great need for this in Kanturk. The delays are regrettable and the initiative should be prioritised within the Department. Very often there are issues as regards amalgamation in schools. In this case, however, both schools welcome the amalgamation and look forward to it being completed. I ask the Minister and the Government, through the Minister of State, Deputy Devins, to outline the current position to the House in relation to the amalgamation and to ensure that whatever delays exist are ironed out so that the project is moved to the design and construction stage as soon as humanly possible. At this stage, it is one of the most worthy and necessary school amalgamations in the country.

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