Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

I thank Senator Buttimer for giving me the opportunity to respond to this matter on the Star of the Sea primary school, Passage West, County Cork. I am responding on behalf of the Minister who is unavoidably absent.

Under the national development plan €4.5 billion was assigned to the capital requirements of the primary and post-primary sectors. Approximately €600 million will be spent this year on school buildings.

The progression of all large-scale building projects from initial design stage through to construction phase is considered on an ongoing basis in the context of the Department's multi-annual school building and modernisation programme. I accept I am speaking in the macro sense while Senator Buttimer and all those concerned about the Star of the Sea primary school want me to refer to the school itself and where it stands in terms of the proposed new school.

Senator Buttimer is aware the school has a staffing complement consisting of a principal and 11 mainstream teachers, together with three special education teachers and two temporary language support teachers. He is also aware the proposed building project will comprise a new 16 classroom generic repeat design, GRD, school, including a general purpose hall and ancillary accommodation on a greenfield site, and that the process of appointing a design team to the school building project is at an advanced stage.

A number of stages are involved in the process. This is the first one after the decision in principle is taken. I am aware of what was said in 1999 regarding the amalgamation of Scoil Choilmcille and St. Mary's. The school is at an advanced stage and is awaiting the appointment of a design team. I assure the Senator that the Minister, Deputy Hanafin, and her Department are fully committed to providing suitable high-quality accommodation for the school at the earliest possible date. The Minister will respond to the contents of the email which Senator Buttimer read into the record of the House. He can inform the pupil and all those involved with the school that the appointment of a design team for the project is at an advanced stage.