Fidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael)

I thank the Cathaoirleach and welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Finneran. I hope he can help me to achieve my goal this evening by liaising with his colleague, the Minister for Education and Science, Deputy Batt O'Keeffe. He should ask him whether Coláiste na Coiribe, Galway city, will be included in the next public private partnership, PPP, bundle and when this is likely to happen in order that the school may proceed to meet the large pupil enrolment on waiting lists for accommodation. In order to paint a picture, I have to hand a letter the Minister has sent to the Minister who represents the constituency of Galway West, the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív, to the effect that the school will be considered in the next round of allocations for a PPP project in November. My job is to impress upon the Minister of State the importance of ensuring the school is not just considered but designated as one of the aforementioned schools.

The Minister of State may be aware that Coláiste na Coiribe still functions in wholly inadequate temporary accommodation on the Tuam Road, Galway city. The conditions under which it is operating are incredible. It comprises an old primary school, ten prefabs, a converted industrial unit, as well as borrowed and shared rooms at other off-campus locations. The provision of a quality education in these circumstances is a strong compliment to the teaching staff. Moreover, loath though I am to say it, I read regularly that in many cases, children in the school achieve the highest points each year. I am loath to state this because that is not the only reason children are due a decent education in a decent building.

The purchase of Coláiste na Coiribe's site in Knocknacarra for the new school has recently been completed but no date has been given by the Department of Education and Science for the next stage of the project, namely, the placing of Coláiste na Coiribe in the next available public private partnership bundle. The PPP will design, build and maintain the new school which will accommodate either 550 or 700 students according to the Department's records. I note that the school has 1,400 children on a waiting list for enrolment between 2010 and 2021. It is imperative that the Department considers the school from the perspective of a 700-student, rather than a 550-student school. However, this is subject to the Minister's final designation of school size. When the new facility is completed, the school expects to be in a position to accept either 90 or 120 first-year pupils each year but this is entirely in the hands of the Government.

It is wonderful that so many parents seek to offer second level education through Irish. During the recent Lisbon treaty campaign Members will have noticed how many used this argument as a means to hold on to our national identity. These parents are actively and genuinely doing so. While it is one matter to send one's child's to a gaelscoil at primary level, to continue doing so at second level is wonderful. My job is to convince the Minister of State and ask him to convince the Minister for Education and Science to include Coláiste na Coiribe in the next available PPP bundle in order that the school may proceed without delay to tender, full planning permission and construction stage for a school size of 700 pupils. I look forward to hearing his response.