Síle de Valera (Clare, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Senator for raising this matter as it gives me the opportunity to outline to the House the strategy for capital investment in education projects and also to outline the position regarding Kilfinane national school, Kilfinane, County Limerick.

Kilfinane national school is a co-educational primary school with a current enrolment of 134 pupils. Enrolments have decreased in recent years from 163 pupils in the school year 1998-99 to 134 pupils in September 2003. The original school, which was constructed in 1909, is subject to a preservation order. The school authorities applied to my Department for capital grant aid to fund an extension and officials in the school planning section of my Department considered this application. The outcome was that the long-term accommodation needs of the school should be based on a teacher allocation of principal and five mainstream teachers plus a shared remedial teacher.

A feasibility study was commissioned to examine the options for development at the school. Among the issues considered was whether it would be preferable to upgrade and extend the current building or provide a new school on a greenfield site. The feasibility study outlined a number of problems associated with remaining on the current site, for example, limited expansion possibilities and any planning application would have to reflect the listed status of the building. A possible new site was identified in the area and it was found to be generally suitable for the construction of a new school. The Office of Public Works, which acts on behalf of my Department in regard to site acquisitions, was requested to commence negotiations for purchase of the site. However, the diocese decided to purchase the site for the school and I understand it has now done so.

Once the site has been procured the next step in the process is the commencement of architectural planning for a new school. Consideration will be given to this in the context of an overall review of projects, which the Minister referred to when publishing the 2004 school building programme. At that time he outlined that his strategy going forward will be grounded in capital investment based on multi-annual allocations. Officials are reviewing all projects, which were not authorised to proceed to construction as part of the 2004 school building programme, with a view to including them as part of a multi-annual school building programme from 2005 and Kilfinane national school will be considered in this regard. The Minister expects to be in a position to make further announcements on this matter in the course of the year.

The 2004 school building programme at primary and post-primary level amounts to €387 million and outlines details of more than 200 large scale projects proceeding to construction, 120 projects recently completed or under construction and more than 400 projects at various stages of the architectural planning process.

I thank the Senator for giving me the opportunity to outline to the House the method used by my Department in determining, in an open and transparent way, how projects are included for funding in the school building programme and to assure the House that this school and all others will be treated in a fair and equitable manner.