Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)

Táim chun freagra a thabhairt ar an ábhar tráthúil seo thar ceann mo chomhghleacaí, an tAire Oideachais agus Scileanna.Ba mhaith liom buíochas a ghlacadh leis an Seanadóir faoin gceist a ardú mar tugann sé an deis dom staid reatha an iarratais ó scoil naisiunta Naomh Caitríona, Eachroim, le scoil nua ocht seomra ranga a shoiléiriú.

I thank the Senators for their contributions. The Senators may find it helpful if I set out the context within which decisions relating to meeting the accommodation needs of schools must be considered over the coming years. Total enrolment is expected to grow by around 70,000 students between now and 2018 - by more than 45,000 students at primary level and 25,000 students at post-primary level. Second level enrolment is expected to continue to rise until at least 2024.

In order to meet the needs of our growing population of school-going children, the Department must establish new schools as well as extending or replacing a number of existing schools in areas where demographic growth has been identified. The delivery of these new schools, together with extension projects to meet future demand, will be the main focus of the Department's budget for the coming years. The five year programme which the Minister, Deputy Quinn recently announced will provide over 100,000 permanent school places, of which over 80,000 will be new school places. The remainder will be the replacement of temporary or unsatisfactory accommodation.

In view of the need to ensure that every child has access to a school place, the delivery of major school projects to meet the national demographic demands will be the main focus for capital investment in schools in the coming years. The five year programme is focused on meeting those demographic needs. In that context, it was not possible to advance all applications for capital funding concurrently.

In the case of St. Catherine's national school, Aughrim, the brief for the project is to provide a new eight-classroom school. St. Catherine's building project will progress into architectural planning shortly and will continue to be progressed through the various stages of the architectural planning process within the context of the funding available. However, in light of current competing demands on the Department's capital budget, it is not possible at this time to give an indicative timeframe for the progression of this project to tender and construction stage. I have heard the position outlined very clearly by both Senators. There may well be a stimulus package that would be appropriate but we do not have the details of such a package. I note the suggestion from Senator Ó Clochartaigh the possibility of an alteration to the proposal in order to expedite it. I will convey to my ministerial colleague, Deputy Quinn, the points made by the Senators. I am sure if such a stimulus package were to be available that St. Catherine's will be considered.