Seán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)

I am replying on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Education and Science, Deputy Batt O'Keeffe, who, unfortunately, cannot be present. I thank the Senator for raising this matter as it provides me with an opportunity to outline the current position regarding the proposed building project for St. Francis College, Rochestown, County Cork.

As the Senator will be aware, all applications for large-scale capital funding are assessed in the planning and building unit of the Department. This assessment process determines the extent and type of need presenting based on the demographics of an area, proposed housing developments, condition of buildings and site capacity, 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.

St. Francis Capuchin College, Rochestown, has applied to the Department for large-scale capital funding for an extension and refurbishment project. Consistent with the process I have outlined, the school's application has been assessed and assigned a band one rating. I am pleased to be able to inform the Senator that, in February 2009, the project was announced by the Minister for Education and Science to commence architectural planning.

Currently, options are being considered for the delivery of the most appropriate and cost-effective accommodation solution to meet the school's needs taking site conditions into account. Officials from the Department met with representatives of the school authority on Monday, 23 November 2009, to discuss the options available and will continue to work with the school to finalise this matter. Pending the delivery of the school's building project, funding was made available to it by the Department in 2008 to purchase temporary accommodation to meet its immediate needs.

I thank the Senator for giving me this opportunity to outline to the Seanad the current position regarding the school building project for the St. Francis Capuchin College, Rochestown, County Cork. I can assure him that a project for the school will be delivered when the requisite pre-architectural issues have been concluded and as funding permits.