Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael)

I undertake to respond to Deputy Ó Cuív directly when I have the detail to hand on the responses sought in terms of the minimum standard of accommodation and other such questions. As Deputy Ó Cuív pointed out earlier, Clifden community school is the only second level school in that area, which has a large geographic footprint. There are some 14 primary schools in the feeder area. The question of whether there are sufficient census data and other school enrolment data to warrant Clifden community school being included on the original five year capital programme is difficult to assess.

The conclusion drawn by the building unit, however, is that the census data and school enrolment numbers for all feeder schools for Clifden community school do not warrant it being on the list at this stage. It is the Minister's intention that all school building projects, including the project for Clifden community school, will continue to be advanced incrementally over time within the context of the funding available. I thank the Deputy for allowing me the opportunity to address the matter.

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