Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for that good, positive response. It is in line with what the Minister, Deputy Foley, communicated to me earlier. It is really good news.

I have a few points to make. I will not name a Department official because it is not fair to do so in this Chamber but there is one official who has been outstanding on this matter. I and the school have plagued him about this project and he has always been very positive and engaging and I believe he has helped to get this project to this point.

Just so that everyone in Tubber is aware, the accommodation that will be delivered will be modular. There will be two classrooms, the reception area, the SET room and the staff room. It is a very welcome step. This is an upgrade on the old 1852 building that was built just after the Famine. The school has been there for what seems like forever and now it will be moving to this new facility whenever it is delivered. It is important, however, that this development is recognised as a stepping stone to the construction of a permanent building. I do not mean to sound any bum notes when it is all good news, but this must be a stepping stone to delivering a bricks-and-mortar building. In that regard, I appeal to the Minister to engage with Patricia Lee, the principal, and her board of management to ensure there is a pathway progressing beyond this modular construction to ensure we get to that point. I say this because, inevitably, when one campaign gets closed out and delivered, the next question gets asked.

That is really the detail I would love to hear a bit more on. I understand we have only had the announcement today. We have no delivery date for the modular unit yet but that really needs to be expedited. I was over and back with the school on this, but a letter was lodged with the Department which would suggest there are particularly severe and extenuating problems with the sewerage system there. This is not a "sit back and we will get there eventually" situation. This school - I would say above other schools in the county and country - urgently needs this accommodation now. Any news on the bricks and mortar would be really welcome. Maybe that news is not there yet but that has to be part of the discourse on what is largely a positive day.

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