Jim McDaid (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Senator for raising this matter as it provides me with an opportunity to outline to the House, on behalf of the Minister for Education and Science, the current position on the construction of a new school building for the Christian Brothers national school in New Ross in County Wexford.

In 2001, the board of management of the Christian Brothers school in New Ross submitted an application to the Department of Education and Science for additional accommodation and the upgrading of existing accommodation. This application was referred to the Department's planning section to determine the school's enrolment trends. Since the enrolment trends at both primary and post-primary schools in the New Ross area generally were declining, the Department of Education and Science initiated a review of the educational provision in the area. In view of the extent of this review, Dr. Tom McCarthy was appointed as a facilitator to consult with the local providers and to identify the key issues in primary and post-primary school provision in the area. His report is currently under consideration in the Department and his recommendations will assist in finalising the optimum strategy for educational provision in New Ross into the future.

The Minister does not, however, intend to move unilaterally on this matter. The scale of change potentially involved means that it is right and proper that all the schools' trustees are consulted and that discussions should also involve both Kilkenny County Council and New Ross Urban District Council. Discussions with the latter parties, in particular, are necessary to ensure the greatest possible clarity regarding demographic changes and housing formation in the area that will inevitably impact on educational provision. While discussions have already taken place with both the trustees and the local authority officials, further dialogue is necessary before finalising the likely future shape of educational provision in New Ross.