Michael Finucane (Fine Gael)
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I raised the matter of the urgent necessity for a new primary school in Kilfinane, County Limerick, previously in the House and also when I was a Member of the Dáil. There was great excitement in the Kilfinane area when a new school was promised during the last general election campaign. However, there is now bitter disappointment as in excess of three years has elapsed without the project even advancing to design stage. The pupils, teachers and parents have put up with intolerable facilities. It is grossly unfair of the Department to allow this situation to drag on and the Minister for Education and Science should reassure people locally and advance this project as an urgent priority.

There is no need to elaborate further about the unsatisfactory existing structure, which dates back to 1909, as the Minister and her officials are fully aware of this. Since 1998 the Department has been aware of the necessity of a new school. It is imperative the Minister include it in the 2005 multi-annual school building programme as it was promised serious consideration in a previous response I received in the Seanad. I look forward to a positive reply that will give reassurance to the pupils, parents and teachers that progress has been made in advancing work on Kilfinane primary school.

Tim O'Malley (Limerick East, Progressive Democrats)
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I thank Senator Finucane for raising this matter as it provides me with an opportunity to outline to the House the action planned by the Department of Education and Science to progress the application for capital funding for Kilfinane national school. Modernising facilities in our 3,200 primary and 750 post-primary schools is not an easy task given the legacy of decades of under-investment in this area as well as the need to respond to emerging needs in areas of rapid population growth. Nonetheless, since taking office, the Government has shown a sincere determination to improve the condition of our school buildings and to ensure appropriate facilities are in place to enable the implementation of a broad and balanced curriculum.

We have progressively increased funding for the school modernisation programme in recent years to achieve our goal with an aggregate total of almost €2 billion allocated for this purpose since 1998, the largest investment programme in the history of the State. Since the beginning of this year the Minister for Education and Science has made a number of announcements relating to the schools building and modernisation programme. This year, €270 million will be allocated to primary schools and €223 million to post-primary schools for building works. The Minister recently announced an investment of €555 million over the next four years in projects to be delivered by public private partnerships.

The Department is well aware of the accommodation needs of Kilfinane national school and I am pleased to confirm that the school was successful in securing funding under the summer works scheme 2005 to carry out roof works to part of the school building, at a cost of approximately €12,000, pending delivery of its major building project. The school had an enrolment of 130 pupils in September 2004 and staffing of a principal, four mainstream teachers, a permanent resource teacher and a shared learning support teacher, both of whom were based in the school. A downward trend in enrolment in recent years necessitated a review of enrolment and demographic trends earlier this year so as to ensure that any capital funding being provided is appropriate to meet the school's long-term needs. That review has been completed and it has been agreed with the school authorities that the long-term accommodation needs of the school will be met by providing for a principal and five mainstream teachers along with appropriate ancillary posts.

The original school, which was constructed in 1909, is subject to a preservation order and a feasibility study was conducted on foot of the school's application for capital grant aid towards the provision of an extension. This study considered whether it would be preferable to upgrade and extend the existing building or to provide a new school on a greenfield site. The feasibility study outlined a number of problems associated with remaining on the present site, including the limited expansion possibilities, and the fact that any planning application would have to reflect the listed status of the building.

A decision was taken by the Department that it would be best to address the needs of the school by way of a new school. The OPW, which acts on behalf of the Department of Education and Science in site acquisitions, was requested to commence negotiations for purchase of the site but the diocese decided to purchase the site for the school. I understand the diocese has now purchased the site.

Now that the long-term needs are identified and a site is available, the next step is the commencement of architectural planning for a new school building. In that respect, the Minister for Education and Science has made a number of announcements regarding the 2005 school building programme since the beginning of the year and will be making further announcements on projects which will progress, on a phased basis, into the architectural planning process in the next 12 to 15 months. The proposed project at Kilfinane national school will be considered in this context. I thank Senator Finucane once again for raising this matter on the Adjournment.