Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for affording us the opportunity to raise this particularly important issue for County Kildare. I refer to the tendering process relating to the replacement of buildings and facilities for Maynooth post-primary school. The school is to be moved to a new campus on the Moyglare Road and the tendering process has been completed. Unfortunately, in recent times a statement was issued by the Department of Education and Skills outlining future work programmes that did not include this project, although it has been included in the capital programme from last year. We strongly support any effort to bring the matter to a satisfactory conclusion.

We understand a value-for-money or similar evaluation has been carried out on the project and that some trimming had to be effected. Further information was sought by the Department. The analysis raised these legitimate issues and we understand the response has been submitted. However, the project seems to be stuck at a particular juncture.

It is in everybody's interest, particularly the children in the local feeder schools. The project now encompasses two buildings in two schools, the Maynooth post-primary school replacement and Maynooth community college, on the same campus. If it were any help, I am sure we would all agree that the original suggestion, which was one school with a junior and a senior cycle, might bring about some economies even at this stage. The local community and the public representatives, who are at one on this, would be more than happy to agree to that, if it could be done. It is important the Minister reassures the House as to the availability of the funding which has already been provided for.

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