Ulick Burke (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 47: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if there is an ongoing review and analysis being carried out in the Kinvara catchment area, County Galway on the provision of a second level co-education school in Kinvara as a replacement for a school (details supplied); if a similar review was completed by the planning unit of her Department before the announcement of 16 May 2007 in which she stated that a new second level school would be provided in Kinvara; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28563/07]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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In light of increases in population in the south Galway area and the decision of the Sisters of Mercy to close Seamount college, Kinvara, on a phased basis, I determined that a new post-primary school would be required in the south Galway area. I asked the commission on school accommodation to conduct a survey of school accommodation in the area to determine the location of the proposed post-primary school and to identify other locations where additional school places may be required over the next five to ten years. Areas included in the survey are Oranmore-Clarinbridge, Claregalway, Athenry, Gort-Ardrahan and Kinvara. The commission placed an advertisement in the local and national media on 23 April inviting interested parties to submit their views in writing to the commission by 15 May. Some 25 written submissions were received from a range of individuals and organisations such as patrons, boards of management, teachers, parent groups, local communities and the Association of Secondary Teachers, ASTI. The commission noted that such a broad response was indicative of the strong support by the community for educational provision in the area and showed that solid links have been formed between the schools and their respective local communities.

The commission, consisting of a dedicated technical group and the secretariat, undertook a public consultation process. It met representatives of the ASTI staff from Seamount college in June 2007. On 16, 17 and 18 October it met all the patrons involved, representatives of boards of management, principal teachers, staff members and representatives of the Rescue Seamount Committee and paid visits to each of the post-primary schools in the area. The commission is currently engaged in an analysis of all key issues such as baptisms, demography and population, migration, diversity, primary and post-primary enrolment trends, regional and local authority plans for industry and housing, and house building. This analysis, in conjunction with information from those consulted, will facilitate the commission in reaching its conclusions and recommendations. I expect the commission's report will be submitted to me by the end of November.

When a new school has been approved a number of procedures and processes must be undertaken and these can take some time to complete. The main stages are identification and acquisition of a suitable site, the design of the building, the application for and granting of planning permission, invitation to seek tenders and construction.

Ulick Burke (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Minister for her answer. Before 16 May a full analysis of the population trends in the Kinvara catchment area and south Galway in general was completed. Based on this analysis the Minister decided to provide for, and announced, the continuation of second-level education in Kinvara. Based on what the Minister has stated we are indulging in a further examination of south Galway from Gort to Athenry, Oranmore and Kinvara.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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Does the Deputy have a question?

Ulick Burke (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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The trustees of Seamount college gave ground by allowing for an intake last September. That was not part of the agenda when they made their announcement nearly a year ago. They have shown they are committed to allowing for the replacement of Seamount college. The Minister has made her commitment subject to the intake for five years. Why cannot the Minister give a commitment and show a positive response to their commitment, which was not available 12 months ago? Although three sites have been identified, the Department of Education and Science's planning section has made no response to examine them as an initial step. Why cannot the Minister indicate, through her actions, to the trustees and management board of Seamount college that she is prepared to provide second level education in Kinvara and cut out the delay tactics? If we can build hospitals in three years, why cannot we build a second level school for 600 pupils in Kinvara in three years?

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Hear, hear.

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The announcement earlier in the year was that if there was continuity of provision a school could be provided for Kinvara, if the school continued to take first year pupils for each of the next five years. I thank the Mercy Order for agreeing to take first year pupils this year, but there has been no agreement on the other years.

Ulick Burke (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Cannot the Minister respond in kind?

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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However there has been no agreement on the other years. The original intention on 16 May was that it would be for the next five years and this would allow for a continuity of provision. Any work before the summer related only to Kinvara, although we are aware of the population increases in other areas of south Galway, particularly around areas such as Ardrahan and Athenry. That is why those areas were also examined. It was an important opportunity for the commission to examine the population and meet all the relevant bodies because any decision on a school in south Galway will impact on the existing schools, for example Oranmore and Gort. The process undertaken is extensive. I expect to have the report at the end of November and look forward to making a decision on it. The Deputy mentioned a school of 500 or 600 pupils, but I expect that any school would be at least 700 or 800. We would seek a site appropriate for that number of students and that would ensure it was the proper catchment for where the greatest population is. All these issues must be taken into account. It is not an immediate priority that must be done today or tomorrow because there is a school there, whereas some areas have no school——

Ulick Burke (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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The Minister said it was a priority and that she would take immediate action.

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I made it clear that if the Mercy Order agreed to take first years each year for five years we would be able to allow continuity and that would give us the opportunity to have a school built by 2012. I again thank the Mercy Order for its co-operation in agreeing to take first years this year.

Ulick Burke (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Can the Minister confirm for the people of south Galway, particularly in Kinvara, that she is talking about a replacement for Seamount college in Kinvara? It is important that she clarify this. The Minister knows that Gort community school is severely overcrowded. Schools in Oranmore and Athenry are also overcrowded. The population in this area is, uniquely, increasing by 8% per annum. All the numbers in the schools have already been identified and the Minister has them.

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy is correct that the population has grown substantially in those areas. That is why we have done the study and will determine the correct location for it.

Ulick Burke (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Did the Minister make the decision on 6 April, before the general election, on false information?

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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No, the decision stands. There will be a new post-primary school in the south Galway area.

Ulick Burke (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Will it be in Kinvara?