Kieran Phelan (Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Cathaoirleach for allowing me to raise this issue. I thank the Minister for coming to the House to give Members an update on the position with Scoil Bhríde, Rathdowney. The Minister and I visited the school a couple of months ago, so the Minister is aware of the problem there.

The school is divided into two portions in Rathdowney and pupils must travel from one part of the school to the other, which means covering perhaps one mile to attend their classes. It is extremely awkward. A site is available at Mooreville, Rathdowney and I hope a start on the new school can be made in the near future. Much of the preparatory work has been done and I look forward to the Minister's comments on the matter. I acknowledge that a classroom extension was provided for the school. Although it is demountable, it is a welcome addition for the school from next September. The Minister did a great deal of work to ensure the school was given that classroom.

I look forward to the Minister's response. He is well aware of the position in Rathdowney.

John Moloney (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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Again, I apologise for the Minister, Deputy Batt O'Keeffe, who cannot reply on this issue. I thank the Senator for raising this matter as it provides me with the opportunity to outline to the Seanad the Government's strategy for capital investment in education projects and also to outline the current position with Scoil Bhríde in Senator Phelan's native Rathdowney. The Senator and I met Mr. Gunnell, the school principal, some time ago and heard at first hand about the difficulties under which he is labouring.

Modernising facilities in our existing building stock as well as the need to respond to emerging needs in areas of rapid population growth are a significant challenge. The Government has shown a consistent determination to improve the condition of our school buildings and to ensure the appropriate facilities are in place to enable the implementation of a broad and balanced curriculum. All applications for capital funding are assessed in the planning and building unit of the Department. The assessment process determines the extent and type of need presenting based on the demographics of an area, proposed housing developments, condition of buildings, site capacity and so forth, leading ultimately to an appropriate accommodation solution. As part of this process, a project is assigned a band rating under published prioritisation criteria for large scale building projects. These criteria were devised following consultation with the education partners.

Projects are selected for inclusion in the school building and modernisation programme on the basis of priority of need. This is reflected in the band rating assigned to a project. In other words, a proposed building project moves through the system commensurate with the band rating assigned to it. There are four band ratings overall, of which band one is the highest and band four the lowest. Band one projects, for example, are those for the provision of buildings where none currently exists, but there is a high demand for pupil places, while a band four project refers to the provision of desirable but not necessarily urgent or essential facilities, such as a library or new sports hall. The proposed new school building for Scoil Bhríde national school has been assigned a band 1.4 rating. This applies as the application is for accommodation arising from the amalgamation of two existing schools. The brief for this extension and refurbishment project is to provide accommodation for a long-term projected staffing of a principal teacher plus eight mainstream class teachers plus ancillary staff plus general purpose room. The project is at an advanced stage of architectural planning.

As the Senator will be aware, in February the Minister announced details of 43 major building projects to proceed to tender and construction and 25 high priority projects to commence architectural planning. The Senator will understand that it is not possible to advance all projects at the same time. It was not possible to include the project for Scoil Bhríde national school in this announcement. Therefore, it is unlikely it will be progressed further in 2009. Given the competing demands on the Department's capital budget, it is not possible at this stage to be precise about when this project will go to construction.

The progression of all large-scale building projects, including this project, from initial design stage through to construction is dependent on the prioritisation of competing demands on the funding available under the Department's capital budget. The proposed building project for Scoil Bhríde will continue to be considered in the context of the Department's multi-annual school building and modernisation programme for 2010 and subsequent years. In the interim, the school has been allocated an all-in grant for the provision of an additional classroom to meet current needs.

The allocation for school buildings in 2009 is almost €614 million. This represents a significant investment in the school building and modernisation programme. This level of funding for the building programme, at a time of great pressure on public finances, is a sign of the commitment of the Government to investing in school infrastructure and will permit the continuation of progress in the overall improvement of school accommodation. I thank the Senator again for giving me the opportunity to outline to the Seanad the current position regarding the school building project for Scoil Bhríde in Rathdowney.

Kieran Phelan (Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Minister of State for his response. I understand that the school cannot be included for funding this year. I am glad the project is at an advanced stage of architectural planning. I have no doubt the Minister of State and I will use our offices to ensure the building works for the school in Rathdowney will start in 2010. I again thank the Minister of State for his response.