As the Deputy is aware, the post-primary building unit of my Department commissioned a feasibility study to examine the possibility of locating a PE hall on the site of the Presentation secondary school in Loughboy, County Kilkenny. An examination of this report is now nearing completion.
The Deputy will appreciate that the feasibility study was necessary because of several difficulties associated with the provision of the proposed new gymnasium. Not least of these difficulties is the confined nature of the site. Additional complications arise because of the proximity of the school to the historically important Kilkenny city wall. In this regard, an archaeological report was also necessary to assist with the determination of how provision of the gymnasium might properly be made.
The Deputy is probably also aware that my Department has developed a template-designed physical education hall, which will be piloted in four schools nationwide in the very near future. Unfortunately, the site of the Presentation secondary school cannot accommodate the template because of the difficulties mentioned. In the circumstances, alternative solutions must be explored which not only satisfy the requirements of the school, but which are also architecturally sound and take due cognisance of the local historical environment. By the nature of the complexities involved, it is inevitable that the project may not proceed as expeditiously as others.
Officials from the post-primary building unit will be in contact with the school authority in relation to this matter as soon as the examination of the feasibility report has been completed.