Seán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Senator for giving me the opportunity of outlining to the House my Department's position regarding the proposed building project for Finn Valley college, Stranorlar, County Donegal. The existing building dates back to 1939. The proposed new school will be constructed on a VEC-owned site at Drumboe Lower, Stranorlar, comprising 6.79 acres.

The proposed project will consist of the construction of a new school building with a proposed floor area of 3,452 sq. m. to cater for a long-term projected enrolment of 325 pupils. The number of pupils enrolled for the current school year is 265. The new school will comprise four general classrooms, two lecture rooms which are interconnected, specialist rooms, ancillary accommodation and a physical education hall. A tender report for the proposed project is under examination by the Department. The contract for the project has not yet been awarded.

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

During the lifetime of the national development plan almost €4.5 billion will be invested in schools. Approximately €600 million will be spent this year on school buildings. This is an unprecedented level of capital investment which reflects the commitment of the Government to continue its programme of sustained investment in primary and post-primary schools. This investment will facilitate the provision of new schools and extensions in developing areas and the improvement of existing schools through the provision of replacement schools, extensions or large-scale refurbishments over the next few years.

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 national development plan and the Department's multi-annual school building and modernisation programme. The project referred to by the Senator likewise will be considered in that context. I assure the Senator that the Minister and the Department are committed to providing suitable, high-quality accommodation for Finn Valley college at the earliest possible date.