Michael Finneran (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fianna Fail)

I am taking this matter for the Minister for Education and Science, Deputy Batt O'Keeffe, who cannot be in the House. I thank the Deputy for raising the matter as it provides me with the opportunity to outline to this House the Government's strategy for capital investment in education projects and also to outline the current position in regard to the building project for Athlone Community College.

Modernising facilities in approximately 3,200 primary and 730 post-primary schools is not an easy task given the legacy of decades of under-investment in this area as well as the need to respond to emerging needs in areas of rapid population growth. Nonetheless, the Government has shown a consistent determination to improve the condition of school buildings and to ensure that the appropriate facilities are in place to enable the implementation of a broad and balanced curriculum. The Government has dramatically increased investment in the school building programme from just over €90 million in 1997 to approximately €600 million this year. Under the lifetime of the national development plan approximately €4.5 billion will be invested in schools. That 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.

As the Deputy may be aware, a developing areas unit was set up recently in the Department to focus on the school accommodation needs of rapidly developing areas, including Athlone. The main emphasis in 2008 is on providing sufficient school places in those developing areas, as well as delivering improvements in the quality of existing primary and post-primary school accommodation throughout the country. Regarding Athlone generally, the developing areas unit of the Department of Education and Science has identified the town as an area of rapid development. In that regard, a decision has already been taken to replace and expand the existing Athlone Community College. The new building, when complete, will cater for 1,000 pupils. The project has advanced to the point where the next step is the appointment of a design team. While the Minister is not in a position to give a timetable for the progression of this project, I reiterate that the need for a new building for the school in question is acknowledged. As is the case with all large capital projects currently on hand within the developing areas unit, their progression will be considered in the context of the multi-annual school building and modernisation programme.

I again thank the Deputy for affording me the opportunity to outline to this House the current position regarding Athlone Community College. He can rest assured of my knowledge of and involvement with Athlone Community College. I hold it close to my heart and will continue to take a personal interest in the development in question.

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