Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am taking this matter on behalf of the Minister for Education and Skills who is unavailable. I thank the Senator for raising this matter as it provides me with the opportunity to clarify the Department's position regarding the provision of a major building project for Ballinspittle national school in County Cork. The Senator will be aware of the demographic challenge facing the education system in the coming years, including in the Cork area. In that regard, the six-year construction programme aims to prioritise new building projects and major extensions, including special schools, in areas where demographic need has been established. In addition, the capital programme also provides for devolved funding for additional classrooms for schools, including special schools, where an immediate accommodation requirement has been identified. In that regard, it is open to schools to apply for funding for additional classroom accommodation where required.

The Senator will be aware that Ballinspittle national school is a co-educational Catholic ethos primary school catering for boys and girls from junior infants to sixth class. In recent years, Ballinspittle national school has experienced significant growth in enrolments of almost 50%, with pupil numbers increasing from 145 pupils in 2010 to 214 pupils in 2016. As a result, it requires a major extension to the existing school to meet current and anticipated future demand for school places. In light of this increase in enrolments, it was agreed with the school that it would be allowed to grow from an eight-classroom to a 12-classroom school. In addition, the Department has been in regular contact with the National Council for Special Education in respect of special education requirements in the Cork area, and provision will he made in the project brief for Ballinspittle national school for a three-class ASD unit.

The Department is aware of the specific accommodation needs of the school, and in that regard, the building project for Ballinspittle national school is included in the Department's six-year construction programme. In the context of progressing this project, the Department is undertaking an analysis of the school's architectural plans in advance of a technical site visit. The Department will also be contacting the school shortly with a view to scheduling a date for the technical site visit after Easter. I thank the Senator for raising this matter and confirm the Department's commitment to progressing the building project in the case of Ballinspittle national school. I recently spoke to officials from the Department who are fully aware of the need to increase classroom space. However, until the scheduled technical site visit takes place after Easter, they cannot provide any specific dates.