Tim O'Malley (Limerick East, Progressive Democrats)

I thank the Senator for giving me the opportunity to outline to this House the Department of Education and Science's position regarding an application from the authorities of Gaelscoil Ó Doghair, Newcastlewest, Limerick, for grant aid towards a new school building.

At present, Gaelscoil Ó Doghair has a staffing level of a principal plus eight mainstream class teachers. The enrolment at 30 September 2003 was 198.

Gaelscoil Ó Doghair's present facilities comprise two rented rooms in a community centre and five portacabins purchased by the Gaelscoil. I am pleased to inform this House that a full design team has been appointed and architectural design of the project is progressing. The Gaelscoil Ó Doghair building project is listed in section six of the 2003 school building programme, which is published on the Department's website. This proposed project is currently at stage four to five of architectural planning – detail design, bill of quantities. It has been assigned a band two rating by the Department in accordance with the published criteria for prioritising large-scale projects.