Ciarán Cannon (Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I welcome the Minister of State. Much progress is being made on the ongoing issue of the provision of second level education in Kinvara, in south Galway. On behalf of the community of Kinvara and its hinterland, I thank the Minister, Deputy Batt O'Keeffe, and his predecessor, Deputy Hanafin, for their input in ensuring we retain the high standard of second level education that is provided in Kinvara.

Last month the Minister, Deputy O'Keeffe, informed us that his Department had reached an agreement in principle regarding the leasing of the current Seamount College from the Mercy trustees. That would be seen as an interim measure with a view to being able to provide a new co-educational facility on lands in Kinvara to serve Kinvara and the people of south Galway. That is a most welcome development in that it provides an interim solution for what is effectively a long-term problem. I hope that in the interim, while that leasing arrangement is in place, the Department will continue to actively seek and acquire a site for a new school in Kinvara.

The issue that concerns those people in Kinvara who have been at the helm of this campaign for many years is the need for more information on that leasing arrangement. The Department commissioned a report which produced the following information in January 2008. The report concluded that a co-educational post-primary school to serve approximately 800 students should be provided in the northern environs of Kinvara and that this school should cater for Kinvara and its catchment area.

It is my hope that the leasing arrangement in place will in time allow for such a co-educational facility to be provided, initially on the grounds Seamount College currently occupies and eventually in a new, purpose built school in Kinvara to serve that area and its hinterland. I look forward to the Minister's response and thank him again for attending.

Seán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I am taking this Adjournment matter on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Education and Science, Deputy Batt O'Keeffe.

I thank the Senator for raising this matter as it provides me with the opportunity to outline to the House the Government's strategy for capital investment in education projects and also to outline the current position regarding Seamount College, Kinvara, County Galway.

Modernising facilities in the existing building stock as well as the need to respond to emerging needs in areas of rapid population growth is a significant challenge and one the Minister intends will be one of his priorities as Minister for Education and Science.

This Government has significantly increased investment in the school building programme in recent years. That reflects the Government's commitment to continue its programme of sustained investment in primary and post-primary schools. That investment provides for the delivery of additional school places in rapidly developing areas while also continuing to develop on the Government's commitment to delivering improvements in the quality of existing primary and post-primary accommodation throughout the country.

Turning to the specific matter in hand, as the Senator is aware, the trustees have agreed in principle to lease the school to the Department subject to a number of conditions to be considered in the context of drafting the legal arrangements. I take this opportunity to thank the trustees for agreeing to lease the school. It is a significant measure of the trustees' commitment to facilitating educational provision in the area. Due to legal sensitivities it is not appropriate for me to comment further on this issue at this time.

Officials are awaiting further documentation from the order, which is expected very soon. When this is received, Department officials will engage with the Chief State Solicitor's office to commence the legal process with a view to ensuring that a lease will come into effect after the existing school's closure.

In that regard, the issue of a co-educational model will be discussed by the Department in the coming months in consultation with the education partners.

I thank the Senator again for affording me the opportunity to outline to the House the current position regarding Seamount College, Kinvara, County Galway.