John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Ceann Comhairle for selecting this urgent matter as a Topical Issue debate. I understand the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Quinn, is abroad on Government business. Accordingly, I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Kehoe, for responding to the issue.

It relates to Gort Sceiche national school, Annefield, Hollymount, County Mayo, which has applied for additional accommodation because of a big increase in numbers from 26 at present to 44 in September this year, to 53 in September 2015 and it is expected that numbers will grow to 57 in 2017. The junior room pupils will increase from 19 to 26 in September this year and up to 34 in September 2017.

The reason for the sudden increase in numbers is twofold. First, it is an excellent school with the highest standards achieved by staff and pupils both in educational areas and extra-curricular activities. As well as the increasing numbers in recent years it has now emerged that another small school in the locality is closing at the end of June and nine pupils from the school have enrolled in Gort Sceiche national school for September 2014. In addition to the existing increased demographic trend, the situation has been accelerated further because of the closure of the adjoining school which means there is a critical need for additional accommodation.

In its letter outlining the reason for the rejection of the original application, the Department stated, "I wish to advise you that the main focus of the Department is to provide essential classrooms in areas of demographic growth". That is exactly the situation in this case because the school is an excellent one and another factor is the closure of an adjoining school.

The problem comes more into focus when one takes the rapid increase from 19 to 34 in numbers of junior pupils. That would entail 34 students fitting into a 49 sq. m classroom when 80 sq. m is the Department's current accepted standard size for a classroom. I urge the Minister to consider the application again in light of the facts I have outlined.

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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I thank Deputy O'Mahony for raising this very important issue. I am responding on behalf of the Minister for Education and Science, Deputy Quinn, who is on official business in Brussels. It gives me the opportunity to remind the House of the significant challenges facing us in terms of meeting increasing demand for pupil places throughout the country in the coming years and the opportunity to clarify the position in relation to the application for additional accommodation in respect of Gort Sceiche national school, Hollymount, County Mayo.

The Deputy will be aware of the demographic challenge facing the education system in the coming years. Primary enrolments, which have already risen substantially in recent years, are projected to rise by approximately 70,000 pupils by 2019 and post-primary pupils are expected to rise by more than 35,000 pupils over the same period.

It is vital that there is sufficient school accommodation in place to cope with these increasing pupil enrolments.

To meet the needs of our growing population of school-going children, the Department must establish new schools as well as extending or replacing a number of existing schools in areas where demographic growth has been identified. The delivery of these new schools, together with extension projects to meet future demand, will be the main focus of the Department's budget for the coming years. The Deputy will appreciate that the primary aim at the core of the five-year construction plan is to ensure every child will have access to a physical school place.

With regard to Gort Sceiche, I understand that it is a two-classroom school with a staffing complement of a teaching principal plus one mainstream teacher. The current enrolment at the school is 26 pupils. The school in question advised, as part of its application for additional accommodation, that due to the closure of a neighbouring school at the end of this academic year, it expects a significant increase in pupil numbers. In that regard, the Department of Education and Skills acknowledges that this may result in an increase in enrolments to approximately 35 pupils next September.

In April 2014 the school submitted an application for capital funding for the upgrading of existing classrooms and for the provision of a resource room, a learning support room, a parents' room, a general purpose room and an administrative room. With regard to the request for a learning support and resource room, the Department has sought additional information from the school, and when this is received it will be in a position to consider the matter further.

Gort Sceiche also requested funding for the upgrade of two existing 49 sq. m classrooms to two 80 sq. m en suitemainstream classrooms. I wish to advise the Deputy that the difference in size between the classrooms concerned is due to the fact that toilet and wet area facilities are provided separately to the existing 49 sq. m whereas they are provided en suite within the 80 sq. m classroom. In that context, the existing classrooms are not considered to be undersized and the existing classroom accommodation available to the school is adequate to cater for its pupil numbers.

As I have already outlined, the Department's overriding objective is to ensure every child has access to a physical school place and that our school system is in a position to cope with increasing pupil numbers. Priority is currently being given to applications for essential mainstream classroom accommodation in areas of significant demographic growth and where additional teaching staff have been allocated. This will continue to be the main focus for investment by the Department in the foreseeable future. As a result of this, the Department is not currently in a position to consider the application from the school on its other ancillary school accommodation.

John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Minister of State for his reply. I want to be helpful and I take the point he makes regarding the application for a resource room and the requirement for further information. I understand the Department contacted the school today.

The Department is planning on a year-to-year basis but there is no point building a small room in the short term if it must be rebuilt the following year. The figures given by the school apply until 2017 and major increases are expected in pupil numbers. The school principal can give dates of birth and personal public service, PPS, numbers. Everything is above board.

I ask the Minister of State to convey my points to the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Quinn. This matter would represent better value for money if it could be considered in terms of the next two or three years. The situation will be serious at the school this September but it will be critical in September 2015.

In 2011 new pupil-teacher ratios were introduced for small schools and the Minister stated at the time that schools that amalgamated due to closures would be given special consideration to rationalise school numbers. This school fits in to such a plan and deserves such consideration.

Gort Sceiche is an exceptional school that has won numerous awards over the years. It had the best primary school website in the country and won an award at the film festival for primary schools at the Helix Theatre. The school performed with the Cross-Border Orchestra of Ireland at the Royal Theatre, Castlebar. I have a list of this school's achievements that runs to pages. It is an exceptional school and I am trying to be helpful as I believe what I am suggesting offers value for money. If examined in this context, I believe we can reach a solution. I ask the Minister of State to convey my points to the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Quinn.

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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I understand the point made by the Deputy in simple terms relating to the need for additional accommodation. He referred to the closure of a neighbouring school that will increase pupil numbers at Gort Sceiche in September 2014. It is important that the Department and the Minister look beyond September 2014. We must prepare for September 2015 and September 2016.

I will ask the Minister to look at this application in the context of increasing numbers at the school in 2015 and 2016. I will ask him to progress the application. The school and the parents of the children went out of their way to make this application and I recognise the commitment of parents and teachers. The school has 26 pupils but this will increase. I will outline the Deputy's concerns and ask the Minister and those employed at the Department of Education and Skills planning and building unit in Tullamore to examine this application in preparation for 2015 and 2016 rather than 2014. I acknowledge the Deputy's recognition of this as an exceptional school. I do not doubt that the school's exceptional work will continue when combined with another school. I will convey the Deputy's thoughts to the Minister as soon as possible and I will ensure he receives a copy of the Deputy's speech.