Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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In 2005, my Department allocated funding of €300 million for a public private partnership programme comprising 23 new post-primary and four new primary schools. The provision of the proposed new secondary school in Skibbereen was included in that announcement. As a site for the school was secured in 2009, it had not been possible to include this project in any of the bundles already being procured. As part of the jobs initiative recently announced by the Minister, I confirmed that I am developing two further bundles of PPP schools. The provision of the school in Skibbereen will be considered in this context.

The issues to be considered in the timing and bundling of schools include, site availability for each school, geographical spread and total cost of the proposed school bundle. The timescale for the provision of the school is approximately four years from the time the bundle is announced.

Noel Harrington (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Minister of State for his response. When the scheme was announced recently it was met with some disappointment. I accept, however, that it was a different scheme involving the announcement of entirely new schools on new sites. This issue in Skibbereen has been going on for a quite a number of years. There is a clear need to build a new school, where three existing schools are being amalgamated: the Mercy Heights School, De La Salle School and Rossa College. The new school project would provide a facility for up to 900 or 1,000 students in Skibbereen. The identification of a suitable site was always a big issue but thankfully it has now been resolved with the generous help of County Cork VEC and Skibbereen Town Council among others. That issue has been put to bed.

Having heard the Minister of State's response, I appeal for the issues I have raised to be considered seriously by him and his Department in the context of the new bundle that hopefully will be announced under a new PPP arrangement. These issues have already been brought to the attention of the Minister of State and his Department.

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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I take on board everything Deputy Harrington has said. It is vital to proceed with and expedite this project as soon as possible.