Ciarán Cannon (Progressive Democrats)

I listened with interest to the debate on the Electoral (Amendment) Bill and the wonderful thing that is democracy. The essence of a healthy, thriving democracy must be the level of trust which exists between those who are elected and those who elect. While that trust is in general healthily maintained in Galway East, there is a danger that it may be about to break down, particularly in an area of south Galway which was given a commitment a couple of weeks before the general election that a new 700 pupil, co-educational second level school would be provided in Kinvara to serve the people of the area.

This commitment was given in May 2007. In January 2008, the Commission on School Accommodation, which had been requested by the Minister to establish whether there was sufficient need for a new second level school in the area, submitted its report to the Minister. It concluded that there was definitely a need for a new co-educational post-primary school, with a capacity of approximately 800 students, to be provided in the environs of Kinvara to serve the whole of south Galway. It stated the school would be required for the 2012-13 school year to coincide with the planned closure of Seamount College.

In a response to the report, given to me in the House on 24 April last, the then Minister for Education and Science, Deputy Hanafin, stated it was her intention that the school would be built. She indicated that the Office of Public Works, which acts on behalf of the Department on the acquisition of school sites, was being requested to source a suitable site for the school in question. As we approach the first anniversary of the date on which that commitment was given, I hope the Minister of State will inform me that significant progress has been made on the acquisition of a site.

South Galway has a serious need for a new second level school. The Sisters of Mercy have been very co-operative in this matter and have given a commitment to keep open Seamount College until the 2012-13 school year. Unfortunately, this commitment does not extend beyond that date. It is possible, therefore, that in three years the second level school will close without a replacement being available. I look forward to the Minister of State's reply.