Micheál Carrigy (Fine Gael)
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I welcome the Minister of State. Like other Senators, I find it disappointing that the Minister for Education is not here today but I know discussions are taking place. Nonetheless, I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Feighan, in regard to my Commencement matter on Meán Scoil Mhuire, given he knows the area and he knows Longford very well. This is an issue I have raised on six or seven occasions since I was elected and it was a priority for me to work on this. I have raised it on the Order of Business, put forward parliamentary questions and spoken directly with the Minister but, unfortunately, it is very difficult to get a reply on to this issue. Other public representatives in my area of Longford have made promises of sites without even discussing it with the people who own the sites.

The issue concerns Meán Scoil Mhuire, which is a school with over 600 pupils based in the old convent in Longford town, where 40-year-old to 50-year-old cabins are being used by the school for pupils. These are not fit for purpose and the only play area for a school of that size is one basketball court because the indoor sports facilities are being used as a classroom. While the Department put in place funding about 18 months ago to rent the former Turners Printing building, which is located across from the school, to take in new classes, the school, the principal and the parents need certainty going forward with regard to a new school.

The reality is that where it is located is not fit for purpose for a school population of that size. If not for the fact a large number of pupils leave Longford town to go to schools in outlying areas, whether at Moyne or Ballymahon, the schools in the town would not be able to cope with the numbers. I live in Ballinalee, which is located halfway between Granard and Longford. Years back, a significant number would go from where I live to Longford town but many now go back towards the school in Granard. We need certainty with regard to a new school, particularly for the students and parents.

Longford County Council recently purchased a 14-acre site neighbouring the Mall complex for projects for the community and for Longford. It has put forward that it would be willing to sell an area of ground on that site to the Department in order to build a school for Meán Scoil Mhuire. I am looking for an update. I know there have been some negotiations with the Department and with Longford County Council in that regard. I am looking for a commitment for the teachers, the parents and the students that this deal will be sorted out very shortly.I also seek a commitment that a new school for Meán Scoil Mhuire in Longford will be on the capital plan, that funding will be put in place and that work on the project will start in the very near future.

Frank Feighan (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Senator for raising this matter as it provides me with the opportunity, on behalf of the Minister for Education, to clarify the current position regarding Meán Scoil Mhuire in Longford with which I am very familiar.

Meán Scoil Mhuire is an all-girls Catholic school that is under the trusteeship of CEIST, which was founded by the Sisters of Mercy in 1861. The enrolment for the school for the 2021-22 academic year is 591 pupils. There has consistently been strong enrolment in this school and that is expected to continue.

Meán Scoil Mhuire submitted an application under the Department's additional school accommodation, ASA, scheme. The purpose of the ASA scheme is to ensure that essential mainstream classroom and special education needs accommodation are available to cater for pupils enrolled each year where the need cannot be met by the school's existing accommodation. Officials from the Department assessed the application and identified a deficit in the school's current accommodation based on projected future enrolment. As part of that assessment process, officials from the Department's professional and technical section identified significant challenges in providing the level of accommodation required on the existing school site. In this context, the Department has engaged with CEIST, as patron of Meán Scoil Mhuire, in order to identify and assess potential long-term solutions for the school. All potential options for the accommodation of the school will be assessed in the context of projected medium to long-term school place requirements in the area. That will be done on the following basis: the deliverability of the options; value for money considerations; climate action goals; and Project Ireland 2040 objectives around compact growth and sustainability.

As an interim measure, and in response to the safe re-opening of schools due to the Covid pandemic, the rental of an additional building by the school was supported by my Department. My Department will continue to work closely with CEIST, as school patron, to identify and advance the optimum solution to meet the long-term needs of Meán Scoil Mhuire.

I am familiar with the school. Indeed, the Sisters of Mercy opened a school in my own town of Boyle many years ago. I thank the congregation for the opportunities and great work they have done in Boyle, Longford and many other areas around the country because sometimes that work, and vocation, go unnoticed. In my own town a lot of work has been done. Christy Wynne has relations in Longford and wrote a nice two lines on the history. It was very encouraging to read that history. On behalf of the people in my own town of Boyle, and I am sure the Senator will concur, I thank the Sisters of Mercy for the great work they have done over the years.

Micheál Carrigy (Fine Gael)
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I echo those comments with regard to the work done by the Sisters of Mercy.

I am disappointed that the reply did not contain an answer to my question. However, the Minister of State did say that the Department is working closely with CEIST, as the school patron, on the matter.

I am on record as asking the Minister for Education the following question a number of times. I again ask for her to arrange a meeting between herself and her officials with both of the Oireachtas Members who represent the county and the principal of the school so that we can advance the project. The local authority is very willing to work with the Department to make sure that this major infrastructural project in the county town benefits the community. I pay tribute to the CEO and staff of the local authority for their tireless work on behalf of all of the people in the county. They always put County Longford first in anything that they do. I ask the Minister of State to convey to the Minister for Education my request that she meets the two Oireachtas Members from the county, the school principal and Department officials to make sure that we progress this project.

Frank Feighan (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Senator for raising this issue and giving me the opportunity to outline the position in terms of Meán Scoil Mhuire to the House.

I note that the Senator mentioned two things. I will convey to the Minister his request for a meeting to be arranged between the two local Oireachtas representatives from County Longford, the local authority and officials. The Senator also stated that this is a huge infrastructural issue for Longford town, County Longford and further afield.