Ciarán Cannon (Fine Gael)

I am sure the Minister of State, Deputy Haughey, is more than familiar with this ongoing saga. He probably has an in-depth knowledge of the issues involved at this stage.

Seamount College in Kinvara is one of the finest second level institutions in the country. The community of Kinvara and south Galway was traumatised almost two years ago when the announcement was made by the Sisters of Mercy that they would no longer be able to continue to provide a second level education in the facility. In April the Minister of State indicated that there were ongoing discussions between the Department of Education and Science and the Sisters of Mercy and the trustees of the facility to secure a lease arrangement to allow a second level education — I hope, co-educational — to continue to be provided at Seamount College until such time as a new facility could be built to serve both Kinvara and a substantial area of south Galway. At the time the Minister of State indicated that officials within the Department were awaiting further documentation from the Sisters of Mercy and the trustees which was expected soon. He also indicated that once the documentation was received, departmental officials would then have to engage with the Chief State Solicitor to commence a legal process with a view to ensuring the lease would take effect immediately after the closure of the existing school. As we edge ever closer to the point where the Sisters of Mercy will no longer be able to provide a second level education in Kinvara, the community is very anxious to have the lease in place, as it would give them a significant degree of security in knowing that the facility would remain open in Kinvara and that their children could continue to access the facility until such time as a new facility could be built.

I look forward to the Minister of State's response and hope significant progress has been made since April.