Paul Connaughton Snr (Galway East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 153: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the reason the proposed amalgamation of colleges (details supplied) in County Galway has not taken place in view of the fact that the idea was first mooted over eight years ago; the further reason there were much fewer meetings between all the stakeholders and her Department in 2004 than in previous years; if there is agreement with and between all the stakeholders on the project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24219/04]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Agreement has been reached with the management authorities of the two schools referred to by the Deputy to develop a single post-primary school in the centre.

My officials are nearing completion of a review of all projects which did not proceed to construction as part of the 2004 school building programme with a view to including them as part of a multi-annual programme from 2005. The accommodation needs of the schools referred to arising from the amalgamation are being considered in this regard. I expect to be providing details of this multi-annual programme before the end of the current year. My officials have been in contact with the school authorities as required to progress the detailed preliminary work necessary to facilitate this large-scale building project.