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 giving me the opportunity of outlining to the Seanad the Department's position on the provision of an extension at Calasanctius College, County Galway. As she will be aware, a new building for the college was opened in 2006 to cater for a long-term projected enrolment of 625 pupils. A further major capital project application was received from the school in 2007. The application is for an extension and major refurbishment on the basis of increasing enrolments. The proposed project is to include the following: new practical rooms; student canteen; general purpose area; guidance counsellor's room; general classrooms to replace existing prefabs and appropriate ancillary accommodation.

As the Senator will be aware, all applications for capital funding are assessed in the planning and building unit of the 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 1 is the highest and band 4, the lowest. Band 1 projects, for example, include the provision of buildings where there is none currently but there is a high demand for pupil places, while a band 4 project makes provision for desirable but not necessarily urgent or essential facilities. Each band rating has a number of sub-categories which more specifically describe the type of works needed and the urgency attaching to them. Documents explaining the band rating system are also available on my Department's website. The Calasanctius College application was assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria and assigned a band rating of 2.5.

The progression of all large-scale building projects, including this project, from initial design stage through to construction will be considered in the context of the school building and modernisation programme. However, in view of the level of demand on the Department's capital budget, it is not possible to give an indicative timeframe for the progression of the project in question at this time. It is noted, however, that Scoil Mhuire, Oranmore, has agreed to extend the existing temporary accommodation arrangements with Calasanctius College for another three years. In the meantime, it is open to the school authorities to apply for temporary accommodation to meet any immediate accommodation needs that might arise. All applications for such additional accommodation are subject to a full and thorough assessment process. As part of the assessment process, the rental of a prefabricated classroom, the purchase of a prefabricated classroom and the building of a permanent structure are all considered as possible solutions in addressing a school's accommodation issues. Furthermore, last week officials in the planning and building unit of the Department arranged to meet the representatives of the school.

I again thank the Senator for giving me the opportunity to outline to the Seanad the current position on the proposed extension for Calasanctius College.