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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 10 Jul 1997

Vol. 480 No. 3

Adjournment Debate. - Kilkenny Schools.

I wish to raise the matter of Gaelscoil Osrai which seeks funding to proceed with a new school. The school authorities, who expected to have the building in place this year, operate from a number of prefab buildings which have reached the end of their life span. This project requires the immediate attention of the Department and the school authorities want an indication that the work can proceed.

The second matter relates to the Church of Ireland model school, New Road, Kilkenny. Gaelscoil Osrai has been negotiating on its school for the past ten years. The Church of Ireland school which has been negotiating with the Department prior to that and is at a critical stage in its development is linked to Kilkenny College. A backlog of young students have requested places in that school. Given that Kilkenny College is developing, it is putting pressure on the Church of Ireland school. Both schools are essential to the education infrastructure in the city and I recommend they receive the go-ahead to the next stage of their development as soon as possible.

I thank Deputy McGuinness for raising this matter on the Adjourment. I take this opportunity to outline to the House my Department's position regarding these important building projects at the Church of Ireland national school and Gaelscoil Osrai, Kilkenny city.

Gaelscoil Osrai has staffing of a principal and 11 assistants and a shared remedial teacher. The enrolment at September 1996 was 298 pupils. The current classroom accommodation consists of 11 classrooms, all of which are prefabricated. Provision for a new school is included in my Department's Capital Programme. The original brief for the project was eight classrooms plus appropriate ancillary accommodation. It was proposed that the school would retain three of the existing prefabs which, I understand, are relatively new and in good condition. Discussions have taken place with Kilkenny County Council on this matter.

Following these discussions and a review of the accommodation brief by my Department's planning section, the project was revised in February 1997 to provide 12 permanent classrooms with appropriate ancillary accommodation. Architectural planning is proceeding on this basis. The project is now at planning permission stage. When all the planning work has been completed the project will be considered for release to tender in light of the available funds.

The Church of Ireland national school has staffing of a principal, four assistants and a shared remedial teacher. The enrolment at September 1996 was 134 pupils. The current accommodation consists of five classrooms which are inadequate. It is planned to provide a new five classroom school with appropriate ancillary accommodation and plans have been prepared by the school's architect. The costings for these plans are being evaluated within my Department. When this evaluation has been completed, my Department will be in further contact with the school management and local Deputies, including Deputy McGuinness.

I am conscious of the urgent need to provide both these schools with their new facilities as quickly as possible. I again thank the Deputy for raising the matter and assure him when all the planning stages have been completed satisfactorily for both projects, I will give every consideration to releasing the projects to tender and contract.

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