Lorraine Higgins (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy McGinley, to the Seanad and thank him for taking this matter. The issue concerns the immediate acquisition of a permanent site for Gaelscoil Riabhach in Loughrea, County Galway. Gaelscoil Riabhach is a multi-faith school which is being used as a model for the new Irish medium schools that are interested in developing a multidenominational ethos, an ethos encouraged by the Department of Education and Skills. The school is in its 14th year and has a student population of 180, a number that is increasing year on year.

The board of management and the principal are concerned regarding the process of acquiring a permanent site, which has taken much longer than expected. I am aware the school is included in the Department's five-year building plan and that a suitable site for a new school has been identified. However, now that talks regarding the cost of this site are in progress, the acquisition process seems to have stalled somewhat. Due to the lack of a permanent site, the school has been forced to install further temporary accommodation, thus costing the Department up to €140,000 per annum. Given the growing student population and the school's current lack of space, these costs will increase every year until the school can relocate to a permanent site.

Will the Minister of State outline the progress that is being made on the acquisition of the site for the construction of a new primary school for Gaelscoil Riabhach? In addition, will he indicate a timeframe for the delivery of a new school. The principal, board of management, students and parents would welcome this information. The greatest support the Government could provide to the school would be the immediate acquisition of the site and to ensure it is expedited so that the growing number of students attending the school will not be forced to inhabit accommodation that is not fit for purpose.