Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The very important amalgamation of the two primary schools in Kanturk has been a long-running issue. Much work has been done in the past three or four years under the stewardship of Canon Jackie Corkery, who has brought great impetus, fairness and transparency to the ongoing issue. A considerable effort has been made by the VEC. In 2010 the Department of Education and Skills sanctioned a site and asked the VEC to look for one. It has been engaging with the county council, the planning authorities and so forth in regard to securing that site.

What I am trying to find out in this debate is the exact current position, the commitment of the Department to the project and the discussions that have taken place between the Department and the various stakeholders in the past month or six weeks. There had been a planning issue. The Department must be very clear about this. Will the Minister of State in the Department, Deputy Ciaran Cannon, outline clearly to the House the Department's commitment to this project, and will he ensure that everything that can be done at that level is being done to move the project steadily along?

There is no doubt this project is necessary and is a priority for Kanturk. As is the case with all amalgamations that reach category 1 within the Department, it should move sharply off the agenda. Again, I stress the commitment at local level on the part of the two boards of management, given the stewardship and hard work of Canon Corkery and the goodwill he has garnered in recent years, which is great to see. We now need to establish the facts. Both schools need a clear time guideline for the amalgamation. It has been discussed for a long time and there has been much interaction with the Department, the OPW and local bodies. The OPW was in discussions about the proposed site, entry and exit to it and the need for a second entry and exit point. In discussions with landowners and the OPW it was clearly indicated that there was a logjam and those concerned were asking the Department to commit to buying other land where there would be safe access. The OPW constantly gave the impression it was taking its instructions directly from the Department of Education and Skills.

Will the Department commit completely to the project and ensure there is no logjam on its side? This is a very important infrastructural project for the town of Kanturk and its hinterland and there have been many attempts over the years to try to bring it to fruition, with goodwill present on all sides, especially within the past three or four years, if perhaps not beforehand. That is a different issue we need not go into, although I could keep the Minister of State entertained all night in regard to what was done at the time.

The important point is that we make sure there is a timeline in place, that there is a full commitment from the Department of Education and Skills and that the OPW is fully engaged to ensure the application to the county council for further planning permission is proper and will ensure the outcome of having an amalgamated primary school in Kanturk, County Cork.

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