John Perry (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am taking this Adjournment matter on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Quinn. I thank the Senator for raising the matter as it affords me the opportunity to outline the process used to ensure that there will be adequate accommodation in schools at primary and post-primary level to meet the demographic needs arising.

The forward planning section of the Department of Education and Skills has carried out a study of the country to identify the areas where, due to demographic changes, there may be a requirement for significant additional school provision at both primary and post-primary levels over the coming years. School accommodation requirements throughout the country have been considered as part of this detailed study. The five-year school building programme, which was announced by the Minister in March 2012, provides for a €2 billion school capital investment programme to 2016, of which €1.5 billion is being allocated to fund major school projects. The five-year programme prioritises major school projects in areas where future significant demographic changes have been identified.

With regard to Gaelscoil Ros Eo, Rush, County Dublin, this school is an all-Irish co-educational school, under the patronage of An Foras Pátrúnachta, which has been operating with permanent recognition since 2011. The school is currently located in rented accommodation which is grant-aided by the Department at St. Maur's GAA club, Rush, County Dublin. A project to deliver a new 16-classroom school with ancillary accommodation for Gaelscoil Ros Eo was included in the five-year school building programme to proceed to construction in 2015-2016.

The site acquisition for Gaelscoil Ros Eo is currently under way. The Senator may be aware that the Minister for Education and Skills signed a memorandum of understanding between his Department and the County and City Managers' Association in 2012. This memorandum fosters increased levels of co-operation and formalises the part of local authorities in identifying and securing suitable sites for educational use. In that context, the Department of Education and Skills is working closely with Fingal County Council in regard to identifying and acquiring a suitable site for a new school building for Gaelscoil Ros Eo. This process is ongoing. Therefore, due to the commercial sensitivities associated with land acquisitions generally, it is not possible to provide further information at this time.

Once the acquisition of a suitable site is concluded, subject to no issues arising, a design team will be appointed and the project will proceed to tender and construction thereafter. Information in respect of the current school building programme, along with all assessed applications for major capital works, including the project for Gaelscoil Ros Eo, is available on the Department's website at education.ie. I thank the Senator again for giving me the opportunity to outline to the Seanad the current position regarding Gaelscoil Ros Eo.