Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising this issue which I am taking on behalf of my colleague, the Minister, Deputy Quinn. The fact the Deputy raised it gives us an opportunity to clarify the current position in regard to the application for additional accommodation at Lanesboro community college, Lanesboro, County Longford.

I am aware that enrolment at the school on 30 September 2012 was 176 mainstream students and 25 post-leaving certificate students. Enrolment at September 2011 consisted of 167 mainstream students and 65 post-leaving certificate students. This reveals a slight increase of nine mainstream students but a reduction of 40 post-leaving certificate students for the 2012-13 school year.

In November 2011, the VEC submitted an application for capital funding to the Department for a major extension at Lanesboro community college. However, the Deputy will be aware that in view of the very real need to ensure that a child has access to a school place, the delivery of essential mainstream classroom accommodation will be the main focus for capital investment in schools in the coming years.

The VEC subsequently submitted a revised application that focused on the need for classroom accommodation along the lines of the case outlined by the Deputy. To assist with the assessment of the school's further application, an inspector visited Lanesboro community college in September. On the basis of the inspector's visit, the Department approved funding to construct two permanent classrooms at the school. This decision was conveyed to County Longford VEC on 17 October 2012 and a formal letter setting out the level of grant and the conditions associated with the grant aid was furnished to the VEC today, so the Deputy's timing is impeccable.

County Longford VEC has expressed satisfaction with the grant approved. The responsibility for delivering the project has been devolved to the VEC and it will now be a matter for it to progress the project through the various stages from architectural planning to construction. The Department's letter of approval contains guidance that will assist the VEC in this regard. I thank the Deputy for giving me this opportunity to outline to the House the current position in regard to the application for capital funding for Lanesboro community college.

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