Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am taking this matter on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan.

I thank the Senator for raising the matter as it provides me with the opportunity to clarify the current position in relation to the major capital project for Scoil Mhuire, Stranorlar.

The Senator will be aware of the demographic challenge facing the education system in the coming years. Primary enrolments, which have already risen substantially in recent years, are projected to rise by almost 37,000 pupils by 2016 and they are set to continue to rise, with a likely peak in 2019. 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. Stranorlar has not been identified as an area of significant demographic growth. In 2014-15 there appears to be a slight spike in enrolment in the area. However, enrolment in the area is expected to gradually decline in the next few years.

Notwithstanding that Stranorlar has not been identified as an area of growth, a new site for the proposed new school was completed some time ago. A project brief was prepared and the project has been advanced into the architectural planning process.

The project at Scoil Mhuire B&C, Stranorlar, will consist of a new three-storey, 24 classroom school with ancillary accommodation on a greenfield site. The design team for this project was appointed in March 2014. The original project supervisor for the design process, PSDP, ceased trading shortly after their appointment and a replacement PSDP member of the design team has been subsequently appointed.

As conditional planning permission has already been granted by Donegal County Council for this project, the project has been authorised to advance directly to stage 2a, developed design. Once the Department has received confirmation that the design team is prepared for the stage 2a stakeholders meeting, arrangements will be made to hold this meeting.

School building projects, including the project for Scoil Mhuire, which have not been included in the five-year construction programme but which were announced for initial inclusion in the building programme, will be ready to be progressed to the final planning stages in anticipation of the possibility of further funding being available to the Department in future years. Pending the provision of a new school building, it is open to the school authorities to submit an application for additional accommodation should the current accommodation be insufficient to cater for increasing enrolments.

I thank the Senator again for giving me the opportunity to outline the current position in regard to the school and I hope that satisfies his needs.