Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Listening to my constituency colleague, I might wonder what the point is in raising this Topical Issue if everything has been resolved, as nothing could be further from the truth. I met the board of management, the teachers and some parents a week ago. Like their children, they are worried about and confused by what is happening. There is a serious shortfall in the funding provided for an extension at St. Mary's school.

Deputy Bannon is right that the school's numbers have exploded from 145 pupils in 2007 to 209 this year. The school applied through the devolved grant system, met the full terms and conditions in a voluntary capacity and relieved the pressure on the Department by putting the project out to tender itself. Given the size of the extension, the additional classrooms and the extra support room, the school has incurred an additional cost due to the new building regulations, but the Government has not allocated enough money, only providing approximately €1,200 per square metre at a time when building costs amount to €1,500 per square metre. The fire officer who carried out the inspection identified a number of deficiencies in the current building. That it must be upgraded is only right and proper, but this work should be done when extensive renovations are being conducted.

The school chose the cheapest options in the construction and architect tender processes, but it has still found itself with a shortfall of almost €80,000. It is a DEIS school that serves many economically disadvantaged families. It cannot afford to meet the shortfall if the Government does not step up to the mark and make additional funding available.

I welcome the Minister's statement today that she will meet a deputation of the school's principal and some members of its board of management. That is positive, but the principal and board do not want to come to Dáil Éireann for a day trip. They want to come here next week to find out that the Government has made the necessary funding available in order that the board and parents will not be left to make up the €80,000 shortfall.

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