Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail)
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Chuir mé an cheist seo faoi bhráid an Tí ar son daltaí, tuismitheoirí agus múinteoirí Gaelscoil Ros Eo, Baile Átha Cliath.

I call on the Minister to provide an update on the progress of the provision of a new school for Gaelscoil Ros Eo in Rush, County Dublin, and on whether the Department has identified a permanent site. As the Minister of State will know, this school was approved for the 2015-16 building programme, yet it remains in temporary accommodation at St. Maur's GAA club in Rush. This club has accommodated the growth of the school to date. The last time I raised the issue of the Gaelscoil was on 13 January 2012. At that stage, the school had 96 pupils in the school. I am glad to report there are now over 133 pupils in the school.

The school would like some information regarding its position. While it has been approved on the building list, where is the new school to be situated? Has the Department identified a site and how quickly can the school expect movement on that issue? I appreciate the fact the Minister of State at the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Perry, is here to answer on this issue and I will respond in due course.

John Perry (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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I am taking this Adjournment matter on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Quinn. I thank the Senator for raising the matter as it affords me the opportunity to outline the process used to ensure that there will be adequate accommodation in schools at primary and post-primary level to meet the demographic needs arising.

The forward planning section of the Department of Education and Skills has carried out a study of the country to identify the areas where, due to demographic changes, there may be a requirement for significant additional school provision at both primary and post-primary levels over the coming years. School accommodation requirements throughout the country have been considered as part of this detailed study. The five-year school building programme, which was announced by the Minister in March 2012, provides for a €2 billion school capital investment programme to 2016, of which €1.5 billion is being allocated to fund major school projects. The five-year programme prioritises major school projects in areas where future significant demographic changes have been identified.

With regard to Gaelscoil Ros Eo, Rush, County Dublin, this school is an all-Irish co-educational school, under the patronage of An Foras Pátrúnachta, which has been operating with permanent recognition since 2011. The school is currently located in rented accommodation which is grant-aided by the Department at St. Maur's GAA club, Rush, County Dublin. A project to deliver a new 16-classroom school with ancillary accommodation for Gaelscoil Ros Eo was included in the five-year school building programme to proceed to construction in 2015-2016.

The site acquisition for Gaelscoil Ros Eo is currently under way. The Senator may be aware that the Minister for Education and Skills signed a memorandum of understanding between his Department and the County and City Managers' Association in 2012. This memorandum fosters increased levels of co-operation and formalises the part of local authorities in identifying and securing suitable sites for educational use. In that context, the Department of Education and Skills is working closely with Fingal County Council in regard to identifying and acquiring a suitable site for a new school building for Gaelscoil Ros Eo. This process is ongoing. Therefore, due to the commercial sensitivities associated with land acquisitions generally, it is not possible to provide further information at this time.

Once the acquisition of a suitable site is concluded, subject to no issues arising, a design team will be appointed and the project will proceed to tender and construction thereafter. Information in respect of the current school building programme, along with all assessed applications for major capital works, including the project for Gaelscoil Ros Eo, is available on the Department's website at education.ie. I thank the Senator again for giving me the opportunity to outline to the Seanad the current position regarding Gaelscoil Ros Eo.

Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail)
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Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire Stáit as ucht a fhreagra. Tá díomá orm áfach mar go bhfuil cúpla ceist agam fós. Is the Minister of State satisfied that the school is still on line for construction in 2015-2016? This is crucial. I understand the process and appreciate the fact the Minister of State has taken the time to come to the House. The reply to my question however has been pretty general and could probably be applied to almost any school on the building programme list. I will take the matter up further with Fingal County Council, because contrary to what was stated in the response, I understand there is no contact with Fingal County Council on the issue currently and that is our concern. I ask the Minister of State to bring this message back to the Department of Education and Skills. I will do the same.

This school is an excellent, popular and growing school. We were all delighted when it was included in the five-year programme, but it appears we have now hit a brick wall. At least the response provided today gives us something to work on and I appreciate the Minister of State's presentation of it. I will seek clarification from the Department as to whether it believes the Gaelscoil is still on course to be built in 2015-2016. I would also like to know what contact there has been with Fingal County Council on this issue, because I understand there has been no contact in recent times.

John Perry (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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The Minister's reply was clear and the information in it positive. I suggest the Senator engage directly with Fingal County Council. It is impossible to indicate the possible location of the site but the Minister has said very clearly that once the site has been identified, the Department will appoint a design team. I suggest the Senator contact the Minister's office directly on this so he can clarify who the contact person in Fingal County Council is.

Officials in the Department of Education and Skills strive to achieve best value for money on land acquisitions. Once the site acquisition process has been completed the school authority will be informed. We should move in that area. The Department has published technical guidance documents on the identification and suitability assessment of sites for primary schools which set out the criteria to be used in assessing potential school sites. These guidance documents recommend that as part of the evaluation of site suitability a number of factors be taken into account including zoning, existing services, site orientation, topography, transport and access. Working in conjunction with the relevant local authority, the Department uses its in-house staff. I suggest the Senator arranges a meeting with the Department officials and Fingal County Council, who may be able to move that issue forward for him.