Jerry Cowley (Mayo, Independent)

I thank the Minister for her very clear answer. I am glad to hear there is a site and that the situation is finalised. Will this new school be included in the schools programme for 2006? Otherwise, there will be no alternative to the street for these children because the lease will expire next May and is not renewable, although the owner will allow the school to remain until June.

Will these gaelscoil students face similar circumstances to the 700 illiterate students who are on the streets because the Minister left County Mayo VEC with a funding shortfall of €50,000? Newspapers such as the Mayo Echo are double Dutch to people who cannot read. Will the Minister provide €50,000 to County Mayo VEC so that these people may continue to take literacy courses? If they cannot continue, they will face life sentences in terms of being unable to read.

Will the Minister include the gaelscoil in Westport in the 2006 Estimates? If she does not, its pupils will not have a school. The five prefabs that comprise their current premises are a health and safety hazard. The Minister said that once a site has been secured she will take steps to ensure that a new school is built. Will the Minister ensure that it will be included in the 2006 schools building programme so that the children will not be on the street and dependant on the VEC? Will the Minister provide the €50,000 needed by the VEC for illiterate students?

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