Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for allowing me to raise this issue. I am glad to join my colleague and neighbour, Deputy Crowe, in doing so. I am particularly pleased that the Minister has been good enough to attend to the issue herself at this strange hour. That we are here discussing the issue highlights its importance.

This relates to St. Mark's schools in the Springfield estate in Tallaght, where I live. They were founded in 1974 and opened by Mr. Richard Burke, the then Fine Gael Minister for Education, on the day Erskine Childers died. These schools have a fine history and have educated young people in the parish during that period, including two of my three sons.

There are currently 440 pupils enrolled in the senior school and 550 in the junior school. The Minister will know those figures, as Deputy Crowe and I have previously raised this matter on a number of occasions. Over 400 of those young people are what we might term "newcomers" or from the international community.

This debate takes place after South Dublin County Council on Wednesday initiated discussions on the Tallaght area plan report at its Tallaght area committee. I mention this because we have often stated that Tallaght has developed tremendously over the years. Many of the schools in Tallaght have had falling numbers, as the Minister knows and may tell us. That trend is now changing.

Going around Tallaght today one may see politically-motivated posters indicating that a large number of new apartments is being built. This is adding to the burden which the schools are dealing with throughout the Tallaght region, and particularly in St. Mark's parish and its local schools. It is causing many problems. The principals, who do a tremendous job, must deal with parents on a daily basis who cannot understand why their child cannot be guaranteed a place and are being told they may have to go elsewhere. The difficulty is that parents do not wish to do so. I understand this plight as I hope the Minister does.

Many of these parents have other children in those schools. There is now much pressure on accommodation. Deputy Crowe has recently pointed out, through a Dáil question, the particular accommodation pressures being experienced by the schools. There will be more challenges for the schools next year. The physical education hall and other facilities will have to be used to cater for classes. Teachers and parents have been telling me that this will mean children will have less than 30 minutes of physical education per week. That will cause its own problems.

There has been much talk about two prefabs which are 20 years old and which are clearly not fit to be used. We are asking the Minister to consider the crisis accommodation needs of these schools. They have made it clear to us that six prefabs are required as quickly as possible. If the schools are not able to provide the additional accommodation in September, they will literally be turning children away. The schools have served the community well, with approximately 1,000 pupils. They are now packed to the door and they are under much pressure.

Particular pressures are caused because it has such a large international aspect to its population. I have heard others speak on other constituencies, but in Tallaght it is unique. That population will continue to rise.

I know the Minister has an interest in education in Tallaght and I look forward to welcoming her to Tallaght next Tuesday when she opens the VEC offices. I ask her to give special consideration to this issue and help my local schools.

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