Tim Lombard (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Minister of State is more than welcome. I raise this matter to ask the Minister for Education to provide an update regarding the timetables for building works at St. Brogan's College, Bandon, County Cork. This is part of a multi-phase operation. There are three phases. The first phase has been completed. We are looking for progress regarding the second phase.

St. Brogan's is a co-education, multidenominational school based in Bandon, which offers a wide range of subject choice for both boys and girls of all ages and abilities. Bandon is the largest town in Cork South-West. We are lucky to have four excellent post-primary schools in Bandon. They cater for a huge catchment area, including villages like Ballinhassig, Innishannon, Kilbrittain, Timoleague, Ballineen, Enniskeane, Newcestown and Ballinadee. It also includes a catchment area of 19 primary schools that all go to the school. It is quite a significant driver in our educational economy and we need to make sure we have the right infrastructure on site.

The school's mission statement is very important. It states: “St. Brogan’s College strives to be a happy, safe, caring and inclusive community where everyone is supported to reach their potential”. That mission statement sets out the ethos of the school and that is led by the very capable principal, Helen Cadogan, and her two wonderful assistants, Derry O'Donovan and Teresa Vaughan. That team has worked tirelessly to try to make sure that this very significant project can be delivered.

Last year, we saw the completion of the first phase, which was a third storey stand-alone extension that catered for accommodation for science laboratories, home economics rooms, art rooms and additional classrooms. This was very much welcomed.

The next phase is really important as it is about trying to tie together the entire project and achieving the school's ethos, which is to ensure all sections of society can be provided for in the actual school itself.

The next phase involves four special education classrooms and more additional classrooms. This special education space is really important. At the moment, the school is catering for four autism spectrum disorder, ASD, classes but only has two ASD rooms. It has been out front since the 1990s about providing special education on campus and that inclusive nature is so important. We need the infrastructure and the Department to liaise with the school management to make sure phase 2 can move forward. Literally since last January-February, we have been trying to get movement on this second phase. There has been very little information coming from the Department about when this going to happen. It is really important that we get movement on a timeline and when this second phase can start because the inclusive nature on the school grounds is important and what they have delivered is really important so far.

St. Brogan's College is really significant. In 2021, the college had 620 pupils and now it has more than 860 pupils. That shows how the development of the school is going one way but the school's ethos is what it is all about. I recommend that the Minister of State visits the school. If he does, he will meet Ultan the therapy dog who is a wonderful animal. Ultan will be one-year-old next Friday and there will be a big party in the school. It shows how inclusive the school is. On arrival, you meet the therapy dog. Ultan interacts with everyone. He is a wonderful animal but he provides wonderful engagement for people who just need that little bit of space at times.

Finally, this school has done so much but what it needs now is infrastructure. St. Brogan's needs the special classes so it can provide what is needed on the ground. It needs the canteen and the additional classrooms. The second phase of building and its timeline are very important.