Tim Lombard (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I raise the issue of Summercove National School. The Minister of State is very much aware that Summercove is a school in Kinsale that needs a little extra attention to make sure it reaches its full potential regarding a new building. This is an issue on which Councillor Marie O'Sullivan and I have been working for a long time to make sure we could deliver this new building. There has been significant movement in school complexes in Kinsale over the past few years. Last Friday morning, I attended the ten-year anniversary of Scoil Naomh Eltin's opening, I was at the gaelscoil, which is moving forward, and there is movement in St. Multose National School. There has been significant movement in Ballinspittle, Rennies, Belgooly and Kilbrittain national schools over the past few years. Summercove National School now needs support. It has been looking for movement for decades; there was an issue about a site for a long time, there was a previous planning application that did not quite work out, not to go around the circles again. Now, the site issue has been sorted. The site has been purchased, subject to planning permission. It is a new site and a new build literally across the road from where the school is at the moment. Kinsale is a thriving town. According to the census figures, it went up 13.5% in the last census, which is significant growth. Kinsale is bordering nearly 6,000 people; it is the second-biggest town in south west Cork. The good work at the school needs progress regarding the school itself. I compliment the principal, Louise Hallissey and her staff of 18. There are three special education teachers, five assistants and the secretaries - two wonderful ladies who run the school. There are also 217 pupils. These boys and girls want movement on this important project. I raised this issue previously in the Oireachtas in October 2021 and I got the indication that it was moving forward, the site had been purchased and was going to planning permission stage. We now need more movement in that regard. I am aware that these things take time and there are six parts to the planning process to build a school. I am concerned that we could be waiting another three or four years for the school to be built on-site.

Will the Minister of State explain where we are in the process at the moment, planning permission and a timeline of when it can move forward and boots will be on the ground for this project, which is important for the people of Kinsale? I compliment the amount of work done by the local parish priest and the entire community. They have been proactive. I know they met with the former Minister of State, Jim Daly, on this matter. He met the Minister at that time, Deputy Joe McHugh, to push this project forward. It is now about trying to push it forward another bit to see movement on the ground.