Eoghan Murphy (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Bruton, asked me to thank Senator Murnane O'Connor for raising this matter as it provides an opportunity to clarify the current position regarding the project for St. Mary's College in Knockbeg, Carlow. I thank the Senator for passing on the list from the parent setting out exactly what the situation is in the school at the moment.

St. Mary's College, Knockbeg, is an all-boys, non-fee-paying, voluntary Catholic secondary school owned by the Diocese of Kildare and Leighlin. It is one of the oldest secondary schools in the country, dating back to 1793. The college itself comprises four main buildings, all protected structures, and the current major school building project aims to create an exciting and modern educational facility for the future while preserving the beauty and best qualities of the protected elements from the past. There are inherent design challenges with extending such buildings, but the Minister is pleased to report that this has not overly affected the progression of the project through the various stages of architectural planning. The project entails the construction of an extension to the existing school of approximately 3,350 sq. m., together with associated refurbishment and external works. The project brief looks to extend the four main buildings to create a cloister, thus forming a courtyard to the centre which will act as a focal point for the school. The innovative design includes single-storey, two-storey and three-storey structures incorporating facilities such as a study hall, PE hall, which can also be used for extra curricular activity, and a science laboratory.

The project was announced as part of the five-year construction programme in 2012. The project progressed quickly through the early stages of architectural design, although during stage 2b two replacement consultants had to be appointed which added some months to the completion of that particular process. The Minister has asked me to report that the project is now progressing through stage 3, the tender stage. The board of management of the school is the client for the building project and, as such, is responsible for directing the design team. In October 2016, the board authorised the design team to proceed to tender. The closing date for receipt of tenders was 12 January 2017. The design team is currently preparing a tender report which is due to be submitted to the Department by the middle of February 2017. Subject to no issues arising, it is envisaged that construction will commence in the second quarter of 2017. Once the project is on site, it will take approximately 24 months to carry out the work.

This project will provide school accommodation for up to 450 pupils. Enrolments in September 2016 stood at 423 pupils, which is over 50 pupils more than five years ago. Upon completion in 2019, the lives of these pupils will be enriched by a state-of-the-art learning environment for the future built with a significant nod to the past. As the Senator has requested that I raise the matter with the Minister, Deputy Bruton, I will ask him about the possibility of prefabs on site in advance of completion in 2019. I will also ask him if he can facilitate a pre-meeting with the Senator before the board meets him next week.