Seán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)

I am taking this Adjournment matter on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Education and Science, Deputy Batt O'Keeffe.

I thank the Senator for raising this matter as it provides me with the opportunity to outline to the House the Government's strategy for capital investment in education projects and also to outline the current position regarding Seamount College, Kinvara, County Galway.

Modernising facilities in the existing building stock as well as the need to respond to emerging needs in areas of rapid population growth is a significant challenge and one the Minister intends will be one of his priorities as Minister for Education and Science.

This Government has significantly increased investment in the school building programme in recent years. That reflects the Government's commitment to continue its programme of sustained investment in primary and post-primary schools. That investment provides for the delivery of additional school places in rapidly developing areas while also continuing to develop on the Government's commitment to delivering improvements in the quality of existing primary and post-primary accommodation throughout the country.

Turning to the specific matter in hand, as the Senator is aware, the trustees have agreed in principle to lease the school to the Department subject to a number of conditions to be considered in the context of drafting the legal arrangements. I take this opportunity to thank the trustees for agreeing to lease the school. It is a significant measure of the trustees' commitment to facilitating educational provision in the area. Due to legal sensitivities it is not appropriate for me to comment further on this issue at this time.

Officials are awaiting further documentation from the order, which is expected very soon. When this is received, Department officials will engage with the Chief State Solicitor's office to commence the legal process with a view to ensuring that a lease will come into effect after the existing school's closure.

In that regard, the issue of a co-educational model will be discussed by the Department in the coming months in consultation with the education partners.

I thank the Senator again for affording me the opportunity to outline to the House the current position regarding Seamount College, Kinvara, County Galway.