Tony McLoughlin (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I apologise for being late but I had to attend a meeting of the Business Committee.

I welcome the Minister and his officials. Some of my questions have been answered. I wish to ask questions on the summer works scheme and the short-term demand for prefabs in some colleges. Summerhill College in Sligo has capacity for approximately 1,000 pupils but its enrolment is well in excess of that now. I welcome the recent announcement of additional rooms and laboratories for the college and when I met the principal, he was enthused about the funding. I ask for consideration to be given in the short term to providing additional accommodation for the new students that will arrive in September.

The school transport scheme has been revised and dealt with by the Minister and his Minister of State, Deputy Halligan, but issues arise on a regular basis. Perhaps the scheme could be readjusted or whatever.

I am a firm believer in apprenticeships. As I have mentioned here on numerous occasions, we must encourage more people to avail of apprenticeships because there is a scarcity of apprentices. It is vitally important that people at all levels be encouraged to consider an apprenticeship, with which I am sure the Minister and his officials agree.

I wish to mention a parochial matter - the Ballisodare school. I congratulate the Minister and his officials no the work that has been done at the school. Recently, I met the principal of the school and learned that there is a lack of recreational facilities. Perhaps the Minister will consider funding for them.

Recently an announcement was made that the Mercy College in Sligo had secured funding of €3 million. The announcement was warmly welcomed in the last couple of weeks.