Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)

On behalf of the Minister for Education and Science, Deputy Hanafin, I thank Senator Bradford for raising this matter as it affords me the opportunity to outline to the Seanad the strategy of the Department of Education and Science on capital investment in education projects, and the position regarding the development of education provision in the Presentation secondary school, Mitchelstown.

Modernising facilities in our 3,200 primary and 750 post-primary schools is not an easy task given the legacy of decades of under-investment in this area as well as the need to respond to emerging needs in areas of rapid population growth. Nonetheless, since taking office, the Government has shown a sincere determination to improve the condition of our school buildings and to ensure that the appropriate facilities are in place to enable the implementation of a broad and balanced curriculum.

As evidence of this commitment there will be 1,300 building and modernisation projects active in our primary and post-primary schools during 2006. Over €490 million is being spent on the primary and post-primary projects throughout the country.

The Presentation secondary school is an all-girl post-primary school with an enrolment of 274 pupils. Enrolments have decreased slightly in recent years from 301 pupils in 2001 to 274 in the current school year. The school authority has an application with the Department of Education and Science for an extension. The long-term projected enrolment on which the school's long-term accommodation needs will be based has been agreed at 300 pupils. Schedules of accommodation for the proposed extension were drawn up some time ago. Officials in the Department of Education and Science are re-examining these schedules to ensure that the level of accommodation being proposed will meet the long-term needs of the school. When these are confirmed progression of the project will be considered in the context of the School Building and Modernisation Programme 2006-10.

The Minister for Education and Science made several announcements earlier this year about the school building programme for 2006. The Minister will also make further announcements in this regard over the coming months.

Once again I thank the Senator for raising this matter which allowed me to outline the position of the Department of Education and Science in respect of the school building and modernisation programme. I assure the Senator that I will pass on the gravamen of his remarks to the Minister when I see her.