Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 10 Nov 1998

Vol. 496 No. 3

Written Answers. - Schools Amalgamation.

Paul Connaughton

Ceist:

423 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress, if any, made on the proposed amalgamation of the second level schools in Ballinasloe, County Galway; the current position on the amalgamation; when the project will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22542/98]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

There are three post-primary schools in Ballinasloe, County Galway, St. Joseph's secondary school — Garbally College, Mercy secondary school and St. Michael's vocational school.

For some time, my Department has considered that Ballinasloe is a suitable centre for a single school development, given its size and the need to provide new and upgraded accommodation in two of the schools. Since the 1980s, my Department made a number of proposals regarding amalgamation. However, none of these proposals met with local agreement.

My predecessor commissioned an independent report on the situation in 1996. The report concluded that amalgamation was not acceptable locally and that the next best option available, to maximise educational provision for the Ballinasloe pupils was to (a) relocate the Mercy secondary school, which required a new school building, to a site adjacent to Garbally College, allowing for maximum co-operation between those two schools; and to (b) renovate the vocational school building.

A design team has been appointed for the Mercy school building project and the question of site location on the Garbally grounds is being investigated. Funding has been provided for the renovation of the vocational school building.