Paul Connaughton (Galway East, Fine Gael)

I thank the Ceann Comhairle and his staff for the opportunity to raise this very important issue. Last week, it was announced that the European Investment Bank, EIB, is to provide a €100 million loan to support the Department of Education and Skills capital investment programme. This programme, worth €1.5 billion, will see a number of major school building projects commence between now and 2016. It is anticipated that the €100 million loan being provided by the EIB will be used in the construction and upgrading of 35 primary and 12 second level schools around the country.

I will address the issue of the Holy Rosary College in Mountbellew, County Galway, and restate the need for this grossly overcrowded secondary school to be given the go-ahead for a new school building. It is 12 years since the project got under way and staff, students and parents connected to the school have been understandably frustrated by the significant delay in bringing this project to fruition. News that the school is not on the five-year programme has frustrated school authorities even further, given the current state of the school in terms of student numbers.

Holy Rosary College in Mountbellew was established almost half a century ago and the current school building is designed to cater for 350 students; the school currently caters for 550 students, leading to significant logistical problems for staff. Recent school building programmes were decided on the basis of projected population growth but this growth has already happened in Mountbellew and a new school building programme is urgently required. The Department has previously recognised this population growth in the local area, with the local national school - St. Mary's national school - recently extended and expected to cater for increased pupil numbers in the coming years. Crèche and Montessori facilities within the town now have waiting lists, proving that the number of young people using schools in Mountbellew is increasing, and hence the need for a new school building.

The significant overcrowding in Holy Rosary College in Mountbellew has had significant repercussions for the students attending the school. It currently has no proper gym, which is completely unacceptable for any secondary school, and especially at a time when young people are being encouraged to increase activity levels and the Government is introducing a variety of programmes aimed at tackling childhood obesity. Boosting the capacity of Irish students in the sciences is another goal of the Government and students at Holy Rosary College in Mountbellew do not have the science labs required for studying science in the 21st century. That also must be addressed as a priority.

I accept there are major budgetary concerns across all Departments but the students and staff at Holy Rosary College deserve a new school building. With that in mind, I ask the Minister that in the event of any delay being experienced with other projects in the five-year programme, Holy Rosary College would be considered the first substitute on the list. I also ask that if additional funding comes to the Department, it should be used for school building in the coming years.

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