Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Ceann Comhairle for giving me the opportunity to raise this important subject matter this morning. In November 2021, the then Minister for Education, Deputy Norma Foley, gave the initial project approval for the provision of additional permanent accommodation at Breifne College in Cavan town. This major building project, which will enhance considerably the level of permanent accommodation at the school, is much needed due to increased enrolments at Breifne College in recent years. The level of enrolment continues to grow.

I compliment Cavan-Monaghan Education and Training Board and Breifne College on submitting this successful application. The growth in population in the wider Cavan town area has led to a substantial and consistent increase in enrolments. In November 2021, I warmly welcomed the decision by the Minister, Deputy Foley, to issue the initial project approval, as I had supported Breifne College and Cavan-Monaghan ETB in submitting the application. The project is a major one and is to be welcomed. It will be provided under the additional school accommodation scheme. Among the additional accommodation to be provided are a number of general classrooms, special education teaching rooms, special educational needs classrooms, science laboratories, engineering rooms, technology rooms, graphics rooms, an art room, a textiles room and other ancillary accommodation as well. From my detailed knowledge of the school, this accommodation is much needed and as urgently as possible.

In June 2024 Cavan-Monaghan ETB submitted all documentation for stage 2A, which is detailed design stage. This documentation has been under consideration for almost 12 months by the Department's technical and professional team. It is essential that the Department issues, without further delay, approval for stage 2A.

That will enable the ETB to seek planning permission for this major and much-needed building project.

I cannot emphasise how much Breifne College needs this accommodation. Some years ago we had an extension and upgrading of facilities at Breifne and everyone in the school community is appreciative of that investment and accommodation. Unfortunately, the present level of accommodation is inadequate to meet the school's needs. I have been to the college on many occasions and have seen at first hand how crowded it is. A parent of students attending Breifne said to me recently the school was packed - a very good analysis and description of the inadequate accommodation. That comment was made by a young lady with a detailed knowledge of education and school accommodation requirements. We refer to part of the school accommodation as the 1970s building. To meet the needs of today's schoolgoing population, that building needs to be reconfigured. Breifne College staff over the years have worked extremely hard to cater for all pupils, particularly children with additional needs. They have approval for four ASD classes but have only three suitable classrooms. They are anxious to have proper accommodation for those classes.

Over many years, a feature of Breifne College has been the high proportion of students taking what are often referred to as practical subjects. The teaching of these subjects is enhanced by specialist classroom accommodation. Those subjects include construction engineering, computer studies, technology and technical graphics. Those are all important parts of Breifne College's subject choice for students. Will the Minister of State bring a message back to the Department of Education and Youth on the need to have stage 2a approved without further delay? We know planning permission takes some time and the ETB is anxious to submit the planning application to Cavan County Council as soon as possible.

Christopher O'Sullivan (Cork South-West, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Deputy for raising this. I know it is a project he fought hard for. When he sought and got initial approval in 2021, I would say he did not think he would still be here in 2025 seeking stage 2a to be progressed and approved, but here we are. I accept that is a long time and 12 months for the stage 2a process is a long time as well. I will certainly bring that back to the Department.

It is a very exciting project. It is incredible: four general classrooms, seven SET rooms, three science labs with preparation rooms, two engineering rooms, two technology rooms with preparation rooms, one graphics room, one art room, one textiles room, one economics room, project stores and two classrooms for special educational needs. It is an extraordinary project and I am sure it will serve the people of Cavan and the students incredibly well.

Delivery of this project has been devolved to Cavan and Monaghan Education and Training Board. A design team has been appointed to design the accommodation and bring the project through to the tender and construction phases. Projects progress from stage to stage in accordance with the project brief and the Department's design guidelines.

Under the ASA scheme, the Department has detailed procedures in place for appraisal, design, tender and construction of all school building projects. Design team procedures define the points in a project's life cycle at which approval must be sought from the Department which aligns with the infrastructure guidelines and capital works management framework. These processes include the stage approval reviews, which challenge all elements of design and specification. These are an essential element of good cost control and support market interest in our school building projects.

The project in Breifne College, as the Deputy outlined, is at stage 2a, involving the development of the design along with an accurate cost plan which best meets the design agreed at stage 1. In June 2024, almost 12 months ago, the Department received a stage 2a report from Cavan and Monaghan Education and Training Board for review. Following the submission of this report, the Department has been carrying out an intensive review from the technical and cost perspectives in accordance with the requirements of the public spending code. All projects, including this one, will undergo the necessary due diligence outlined in the public infrastructure guidelines. Managing, timing, scope and cost are crucial to staying within budgetary limits for the overall programme. While the school naturally has ambitious timelines for the delivery of the project, the project forms part of our overall pipeline and each project's progression to the next stage. Once the stage 2a report review is concluded, the Department will be in contact with Cavan and Monaghan Education and Training Board to advise how best to progress this important project.

What this project will do for education provision in Cavan is extraordinary. We have seen these projects rolled out across Ireland in the past four or five years and each town and area has benefited from them. It is high time Breifne College was able to avail of this. These processes take time, as we have seen in the past, but I accept that 12 months in stage 2a is a long period. I will relay that back to the Minister and the Department directly to try to get progress so that at least an opinion can be given to the college as soon as possible and so that the project can continue.

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Minister of State for his reply. He is absolutely correct it is an incredible and exciting project for the school community in Breifne College. I commend the acting principal, Breege Reilly, and all her staff on their commitment and hard work in the best interests of their students. That has been a strong tradition over the years in the school. The staff and school community have worked hard to achieve the best possible integration of all students, and that work has been very successful. The school has a varied and important programme of extracurricular activities for students, including various sporting disciplines, drama and art.

I reiterate the importance the school has placed for many years on what are generally referred to as practical subjects. As the Minister of State outlined, the schedule of accommodation provides for many classrooms that need specialist accommodation. All of us in this House and the wider community speak of preparing people with the skills to meet the needs of our economy and society today, be it construction technology or whatever. We want to ensure pupils and teachers have the best possible facilities for teaching and learning, both from the staff and, most important, student point of view. My colleague Senator Wilson and I have worked closely with Breifne College and Cavan and Monaghan ETB over the years. The Senator is a former pupil of the college.

As the Department is well aware, Cavan and Monaghan Education and Training Board has an excellent record in delivering building projects. The work will be done properly, within the timeframe and on budget. It has carried out projects for primary schools. That is outside its remit but it has done it in the interests of the local community. I am anxious the ETB and Breifne College get the necessary approval to get to planning permission stage. We all know planning permission takes time so it will be some time before students have the benefit of those new classroom facilities, which will be hugely exciting and positive for the school community. We need to see movement as soon as possible.

Christopher O'Sullivan (Cork South-West, Fianna Fail)
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I did not know Senator Wilson was a former pupil. That is another testament to what a great education centre it is. In all seriousness, I thank the Deputy for bringing this up. I know how hard he fought for the project and that he would love to see it further progressed. I accept 12 months is a long time for the principal, staff, board and parents to be wondering where they stand on this. It will be built and delivered; it is just a matter of getting that information. I suggest in the interim we ask the Department to communicate with the principal and board and give some indication as to when stage 2a will be approved and they can carry on with planning permission. It would be lovely to think at least some of the students currently studying in Breifne College will be able to avail of the new school. The sixth and fifth year students will probably not have that luxury but perhaps students after that could. It would be amazing if we could get that going.