Seán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)

I am taking this adjournment on behalf of my colleague, Deputy Batt O'Keeffe, Minister for Education and Science. I thank the Senator for raising this matter as it provides me with the opportunity to outline to the Seanad the Government's strategy for capital investment in education projects and also to outline the current position regarding Scoil Chonaill, Bunbeg, County Donegal and Pobalscoil Gaoth Dobhair, County Donegal.

The modernisation of facilities in our existing building stock as well as the need to respond to emerging needs in areas of rapid population growth is a significant challenge. The Government has shown a consistent 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.

All applications for capital funding are assessed in the modernisation and policy unit of my Department. The assessment process determines the extent and type of need presenting, based on the demographics of an area, proposed housing developments, condition of buildings, site capacity etc., leading ultimately to an appropriate accommodation solution.

As part of this process, a project is assigned a band rating under published prioritisation criteria for large-scale building projects. These criteria were devised following consultation with the education partners. Projects are selected for inclusion in the school building and modernisation programme on the basis of priority of need. This is reflected in the band rating assigned to a project. In other words, a proposed building project moves through the system commensurate with the band rating assigned to it.

There are four band ratings overall, of which band one is the highest and band four the lowest. Band one projects, for example, include the provision of buildings where none currently exists but where there is a high demand for pupil places, while a band four project makes provision for desirable but not necessarily urgent or essential facilities, such as a library or new sports hall.

In relation to Scoil Chonaill, Bunbeg, the brief for this extension-refurbishment project is to provide accommodation for a long-term projected staffing of a principal plus four mainstream class teachers plus ancillary staff.

The project, which has been assigned a band rating of 2.1, is at an advanced stage of architectural planning and planning permission has been received. The Minister, Deputy O'Keeffe, met with a deputation from Scoil Chonaill, Bunbeg in December 2008. A new cost-saving proposal for the decanting of pupils for the duration of the project was presented at the meeting and was welcomed by the Minister. However, it is not possible at this stage to be precise about when this project will go to construction.

In relation to Pobalscoil Ghaoth Dobhair, this project, which involves the provision of a new PE hall, is at an advanced stage of architectural planning. The project has a band rating of 4.1. While it is not possible at this stage to be precise about when this project will go to construction because of higher competing priorities — I refer in particular to the need to provide new schools in rapidly developing areas — I can say that the project will be considered for progression as the school building and modernisation programme is rolled out.

The progression of all large-scale building projects, including these projects, from initial design stage through to construction, is dependent on the prioritisation of competing demands on the funding available under my Department's capital budget. These projects will be considered in the context of my Department's multi-annual school building and modernisation programme.

The allocation for school buildings in 2009 is €581million. This represents a significant investment in the school building and modernisation programme. This level of funding for the building programme, at a time of great pressure on public finances, is a sign of the Government's commitment to investing in school infrastructure and will permit the continuation of progress in the overall improvement of school accommodation. Under the recovery plan, announced last week by the Taoiseach, a further €75 million has been allocated to the schools building programme for 2009.

I thank the Senator for giving me the opportunity to outline to the Seanad the position regarding the schools building projects for Scoil Chonaill, Bunbeg and Pobalscoil Ghaoth Dobhair.