Noel Grealish (Galway West, Independent)
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759. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will address issues raised in correspondence regarding the amalgamation of schools (details supplied) in County Galway; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28366/15]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the Patron of the schools to which he refers has determined that the new amalgamated school should be located on the site and buildings of one of the schools in question. In reaching this decision, the Patron and schools had available to them an independent technical report that reviewed the curricular capacity of both school buildings and sites. A separate technical report completed by my Department has also been made available that supports the Patron's decision. Whilst deficits of accommodation in both buildings were identified, the independent report recommended that one of the school buildings was the location that "requires the least amount of re-modelling of the existing structure and has the potential for expansion to accommodate a combined curriculum and additional teaching spaces". The Patron has advised my Department that they accept the report's recommendations.

I wish to advise the Deputy that funding for a significant extension project has been approved in principle in recent days to facilitate the proposed amalgamation of the schools concerned, which are proposing to amalgamate from September 2016. This extension includes for the provision of a science laboratory, business studies/commerce room, technology room with associated preparation areas and three interlinked standard classrooms. This extension is expected to significantly enhance the accommodation available to the amalgamated school. The position of the prefabs, referred to by the Deputy, which are on the site in question will be addressed as part of the extension project.

To also facilitate the amalgamation, a site extension to the existing site in question has been agreed under a lease agreement at a nominal rate and this arrangement will be reviewed in 5 years. This site extension includes the gardens, referred to, and significantly enhances the school site in question.

The Department is aware that the amalgamated school will not have access to a PE hall. As the Deputy will appreciate, due to the competing demands on my Department's capital budget imposed by the need to prioritise available funding for the provision of essential school classroom accommodation, it is not possible at this point to provide an indicative timeframe for the provision of funding towards a PE hall for the school concerned. However I understand that the school concerned will continue to have access for PE purposes to a swimming pool, the rowing club and a local hall.

In relation to the future use of the remaining building, the Patron has advised that they have not formulated proposals for its future use, but consider that the buildings would be suitable for alternative education use.

Finally, I understand that a Steering Group has been established to support the amalgamation process. It is understood that this Group has nominees of parents, teachers and members of the Boards of Management of both schools. It is also understood that from September next, both schools will cooperate closely in terms of curricular provision.