Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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9. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will report on the current status of the effort to build a new second level school at a location (details supplied) in County Galway; when it is envisaged that the project will commence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22023/15]

Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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This question relates to Clifden community school which was granted a new building in June 2013. Unfortunately, the tenderer pulled out. Will the Minister provide an update on that project and the commitment to it?

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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I advise the Deputy that the new school building project in County Galway is at an advanced stage of architectural planning. The design team is preparing to retender the project following difficulties with the first tender exercise. The new pre-qualification of contractors list has been finalised and the revised stage 2b cost plan is currently being examined by my Department. The project is on my Department's five-year construction programme and will soon be progressed through the new tender process. It is anticipated that the design team will shortly be in a position to issue tender documents to the selected contractors and, subject to no issues arising, construction of the new school should commence before the end of 2015.

Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Minister for the reply. It is welcome that progress is being made and that construction will start before the end of 2015. This project has been long sought. There was an 11-year campaign for it. I commend the work of my colleague, Councillor Eileen Mannion, who has worked tirelessly on this project. It was great news in 2013 when the Minister's predecessor announced, under that capital plan, that Clifden community school was to progress to a new build. It has a huge catchment area. There are 400 pupils in the area, stretching from Roundstone across to Maam and Leenane, and obviously the existing facilities are not fit for purpose. It was unfortunate that the original tenderer pulled out for whatever reason, but I am delighted to see that work is continuing to retender this project and that the Department is committed to construction starting in 2015. I thank the Minister for her response and I am sure that she will continue to ensure to keep a close eye on this important project for the north Connemara area.

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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I assure the Deputy that the funding is available because it is in the programme. Once it commences, we expect it will take about 18 months to construct the new school.

Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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Deputy Lucinda Creighton is not present in the Chamber to take her question.