Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senator for his generous remarks about the work of the Department of Education and how the challenges of Covid-19 are being managed. He also acknowledged how those challenges are being managed on the ground by school communities and I also wish to express my own sincere thanks in that regard. The ongoing work is a challenge that is being met on a daily basis with the immense generosity and determination of school communities.

The Senator also acknowledged the provision of accommodation in the area over a long number of years. I thank him for raising this specific matter as it provides me with the opportunity to clarify the position in relation to the provision of new school buildings for Scoil Chaitríona junior and senior schools, Renmore, County Galway. Scoil Chaitríona junior school caters for boys and girls from junior infants to second class. The school had an enrolment of 392 pupils for the 2019-20 school year. Its staffing allocation for the current school year includes a principal, 19 mainstream class teaching posts, including four disadvantaged over-quota posts, eight special education teaching posts, one shared special education teaching post, four special class teaching posts and two language support teaching posts.

Scoil Chaitríona senior school caters for boys and girls from third class to sixth class. The school had an enrolment of 378 pupils for the 2019-20 school year. Its staffing allocation for the current school year includes a principal, 15 mainstream teaching posts, eight special education teaching posts, 1.02 shared special education teaching posts, three special class teaching posts and one shared home school liaison post. Both schools operate under the patronage of the Bishop of Galway.

As the Senator is aware, building projects for Scoil Chaitríona junior and senior schools are included in my Department's school building programme to be delivered under the national development plan. The options for providing new school buildings for the schools are currently being explored. There are particular challenges to overcome in view of the size of the existing school site. I acknowledge that and the Senator has referenced that point.

The Department requested the patron to explore the potential availability of alternative site options, including a request to engage with Galway City Council regarding any potential land within council ownership. The patron subsequently advised the Department that no alternative sites were available. The Department subsequently met patron representatives and both school authorities to consider a way forward. The school authorities committed to exploring any options that may be available to decant the schools to facilitate a building project. A proposed decant option was recently proposed by the school.

My Department is anxious to advance the building projects for the schools into the architectural planning process. However, the complexities associated with the existing site need to be resolved and the Department is currently exploring the options available in an expeditious manner. I appreciate that this is a priority for the Senator and all Oireachtas Members. I assure the Senator of the Department's co-operation in expediting the matter as soon as possible.