Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

I thank Deputy O'Mahony for raising this matter. I welcome the opportunity to outline to the House the Department of Education and Science's position regarding the provision of new school buildings for Bonniconlon national school, Gaelscoil Uileog De Búrca and St. Joseph's national school, Midfield, Swinford.

In the lifetime of the national development plan, almost €4.5 billion will be invested in schools. Approximately €600 million of this will be spent this year on school buildings. This is an unprecedented level of capital investment which reflects the commitment of the Government to continue its programme of sustained investment in primary and post-primary schools. This investment will facilitate the provision of new schools and extensions in developing areas and the improvement of existing schools through the provision of replacement schools, extensions or large-scale refurbishments in the coming years. 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 national development plan and the Department's multi-annual school building and modernisation programme.

As regards the position of the three schools to which Deputy O'Mahony refers, the project relating to Bonniconlon national school is currently at an advanced stage of architectural planning in respect of the provision of a new three-classroom school. I understand the tender documentation for this project is nearing completion. The Minister for Education and Science intends to announce projects that will proceed to construction during the year and Bonniconlon will be considered in this context.

A site for a proposed new school building for Gaelscoil Uileog De Búrca was acquired last year and an assessment of projected enrolment trends, demographic trends and housing developments in the area will be required in order to determine the long-term projected staffing figure on which the school's accommodation needs will be based. It is heartening to note that a school established in 1989 with eight pupils now has an enrolment of 109. The latter is expected to rise to 120 next year. I am a great supporter of gaelscoileanna, which offer an opportunity for children in schools outside the Gaeltacht to pursue their studies through the medium of Irish.

St. Joseph's national school, Midfield, previously applied for an extension and refurbishment to provide for improved ancillary accommodation, such as a general purpose room, a multipurpose or staff room, a remedial room and a general office. The proposed project did not include additional mainstream classrooms. However, in January of this year the Department of Education and Science received a new application in respect of additional accommodation. This will be considered in the context of the multi-annual school building and modernisation programme.

On behalf of the Minister, I wish to assure the Deputy that she and her Department are committed to providing high-quality accommodation for Bonniconlon national school, Gaelscoil Uileog De Búrca and St. Joseph's national school, Midfield, at the earliest possible date. I will communicate to her the strong view expressed by Deputy O'Mahony.

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