Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)

Because of the song, everybody has a fondness in their heart for Glenamaddy. I apologise for the Minister's absence. I thank the Deputy for the opportunity to outline to the House the Department's position regarding the provision of a new community school for Glenamaddy, County Galway.

It is proposed to build a new community school in Glenamaddy with a floor area of approximately 5,200 m2 to cater for a long-term projected enrolment of 550 pupils. This new school is to cater for the amalgamation of St. Joseph's convent school and the vocational school. The amalgamated school is currently housed on the site of St. Joseph's convent school in a mixture of temporary and permanent accommodation.

Tenders were originally received for the proposed new school in 2004. However, due to delays in acquiring the site under the redress scheme it was not possible to accept a tender at that time. The project was re-tendered in 2007 and a tender report for the project is currently under examination by the Department. The contract for the project has not yet been awarded.

Under the lifetime of the national development plan approximately €4.5 billion will be invested in schools. Approximately €600 million will be spent this year on school buildings.

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