Seán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)

I am taking this matter on behalf of the Minister for Education and Science. I thank the Senator for raising this matter as it provides me with the opportunity to outline to the Seanad the Minister's proposal for a new post-primary school in Kingscourt, County Cavan.

The Minister was pleased to announce his approval, in principle, for the establishment of a new post-primary school for Kingscourt last year. An examination of the demographics and projected pupil numbers by the forward planning section of the Department satisfied the Minister that a facility for between 300 and 400 pupils will be sustainable in this area in the medium term. Plans for the new school are at an early stage and there are a number of preliminary investigations to be carried out before the project can be considered for inclusion in the Department of Education and Science's school building programme. This includes consideration on how the new school building should be procured and a possible timeframe for its delivery, given the availability of funding and the competing demands for that funding.

In considering procurement methods, delivery through the public private partnership model will be examined. Three separate public private partnership bundles have been announced to date and these are going through the procurement process. The make-up and timing of further bundles will be determined by the Department of Education and Science in consultation with the National Development Finance Agency. The issues to be considered in the timing and bundling of further projects include site availability for each school, geographical spread and the estimated total cost of the proposed bundle. When all preliminary matters have been decided in respect of the proposed project for Kingscourt, normal procedures will be put in train to advance the project. This will include the assignment of a roll number, the preparation of an educational worksheet and the drawing up of schedules of accommodation. This is a common approach by the Department of Education and Science for all such projects.

The assignment of a roll number, which is necessary when a decision has been taken to proceed with a building project, also sets a school up for the appointment of a board of management and teaching resources and for the payment of capitation grants and other grant aid. As the development of the new school is in the very early stages, it is not sufficiently advanced to need a roll number at this time. In keeping with its practices and procedures in this matter, the Department of Education and Science will be in contact with the school's patron at the appropriate time with a roll number for the school.

I thank the Senator for raising this matter.