Barry Andrews (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)

I am taking this matter on behalf of my colleague, the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Coughlan. I thank the Deputy for giving me the opportunity to outline to the House the Government's strategy for capital investment in education projects and also to outline the current position on Herbertstown national school.

Modernising facilities in the existing building stock as well as the need to respond to emerging needs in areas of rapid population growth is a significant challenge. 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 Deputy will appreciate that the extent of the demand on the Department's capital budget is enormous, providing, as it does, accommodation for new communities, additional accommodation for extra teachers which the Government has put into the system and modernising existing schools. However, huge inroads have been made in addressing those needs.

The Deputy will also be aware that the allocation for school buildings in 2010 is approximately €579 million, which represents a significant investment in the school building and modernisation programme. This level of funding for the building programme, at a time of great pressure on public finances, is a sign of the very real commitment of the Government to investing in school infrastructure and will permit the continuation of progress in the overall improvement of school accommodation. However, the level of demand on the Department's resources is such that all projects cannot be carried out together. They will have to be carried out over time in a structured and coherent manner and that is the reasoning behind the Department's published prioritisation criteria.

Turning to Herbertstown national school in particular, the Deputy will be aware that this school's staffing complement comprises a principal, two mainstream teachers, one shared learning support teacher and one part-time resource teacher. As Deputy Neville pointed out, the school's current accommodation consists of three permanent classrooms and temporary accommodation which is used for resource teaching. The school made an application for additional accommodation, consisting of a classroom, learning support room, office, GP room, staff room and toilets. I am pleased to advise that the school was approved a devolved grant to build an additional two classrooms to meet the school's most immediate needs. The school was advised of that by letter on 7 May 2010.

I again thank the Deputy for raising the matter. I assure him that the Tánaiste is committed to meeting the needs of schools such as Herbertstown national school as resources allow.

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