Seán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Deputy for raising this matter as it provides me with the opportunity to outline the Government's strategy for capital investment in education projects and the current position regarding my Department's long-term plan for Portlaoise in general. On the latter issue, the developing areas unit of the Department has identified the town as an area of rapid development. In this regard, a decision has been taken to provide three new post-primary schools and amalgamate and expand primary provision to meet the growing needs of the area. Educational provision at post-primary level needed to be addressed first and a new VEC school building has been delivered. The two other post-primary school building projects are due to go on site this year and are being delivered by way of public private partnership.

Now that the accommodation requirements of the town at post-primary level are well on the way to being addressed, it is proposed to deal with the primary school requirements. Approval in principle has been given for five large-scale primary building projects in Portlaoise which will improve conditions for the schools concerned and provide much needed extra school places.

Two new green field site schools will be built to facilitate the amalgamation of Scoil Náisiúnta an Chroí Naofa, St. Paul's primary school and Scoil Náisiúnta Mhuire. The new facilities will be configured as a junior and senior school and will cater for 1,600 pupils. The school authorities were given approval to appoint design teams and the nominees under consideration are with the Department for ratification.

The third project is the extension of Scoil Bride, Knockmay, to create a 32 classroom school catering for 800 pupils. The school authorities were given approval to appoint design teams and the nominees under consideration for this project are also with the Department for ratification. The fourth is the extension of The Heath national school which will enable it to cater for 200 pupils. A site visit has been carried out by the Department's technical staff. Funding is also being made available to Maryboro national school on a devolved basis to enable the construction of a new three classroom school for 75 pupils.

Taking all these factors into consideration the Department is examining options for the provision of permanent accommodation for Gaelscoil Portlaoise.

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