The review of the study commissioned to examine the feasibility of locating a PE hall on the site belonging to the Christian Brothers' school in Kilkenny is nearing completion in my Department.
As the Deputy is aware, there are several challenges associated with the proposed new gymnasium. In particular, the confined nature of the site cannot accommodate the template-designed physical education hall recently developed by my Department. This difficulty created the need to explore alternative solutions as part of the feasibility study. Given the complexities involved, due care and consideration must be given to choosing the correct course of action, thus the extended time given to the review process in this case.
A decision to proceed to architectural planning can only be taken after the feasibility study is examined in detail. Officials from the post-primary building unit will liaise directly with the school authority in relation to this matter in due course.