Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Seanadóir as ucht an t-ábhar tábhachtach seo a ardú inniu. Is léir ón teachtaireacht inniu ón Seanadóir go bhfuil fuinneamh dearfach ag dul ar aghaidh sa scoil. Tá sé ceart go bhfuil sé tiománta agam an teanga a bheith ag bailiú nirt amach anseo fosta agus gabhaim mo aitheantas chuig an ceannaireacht thíos sna scoileanna fá choinne an tiomántas ar son na teanga. Mar atá a fhios ag an Seanadóir, tá Gaelscoil Cholmcille ag obair faoin ethos Catholic agus ag obair faoin fhoras patrúnacha agus tá suas le 277 duine óige sna mbunscoileanna ag foghlaim trí mheán na Gaeilge. Tá daoine obair sna scoileanna fosta agus tá 11 cloigeann duine ag obair agus 2.5 duine ag obair i dtacaíocht speisialta.

In 2008, my Department provided a two-storey, semi-permanent school building consisting of 12 classrooms and ancillary accommodation for Gaelscoil Cholmcille. As this building has a life span of 25 to 30 years, my Department has no plans to replace it in the foreseeable future. However, I take on board what the Senator stated in the context of parents seeking a period of certainty. I understand that in March 2018 the school submitted an application under my Department's additional school accommodation scheme seeking the provision of additional temporary accommodation to provide for a further mainstream teaching post being appointed for 2018. Having engaged with the school to seek clarification on aspects of the application, my Department finalised the assessment of the application in September. I am pleased to confirm that my Department granted approval for the provision of two permanent mainstream classrooms with en suite toilets and a separate assisted user's toilet to address the deficit of accommodation in the Gaelscoil. The project was devolved for delivery to the Gaelscoil authority. This means that it is now a matter for the Gaelscoil authority to appoint a consultant and advance the project through the design and construction phases. Gabhaim buíochas arís leis an Seanadóir as ucht an t-ábhar tábhachtach seo a ardú inniu.