Michael Lowry (Tipperary North, Independent)

At the heart of the matter in Scoil Ruain, Killenaule, is the frustration being experienced by students, by teachers and by parents. It is the frustration of waiting 20 years for a facility to which they are entitled. The school management is looking for a basic sports facility, a sports hall. Despite many promises, nothing has happened. It is the second term of office of the Government parties and the school authorities, parents and students are still waiting. The school moved into a new building approximately 20 years ago, without a sports hall or an assembly area. To date, this oversight has not been corrected.

It is important to note that the school is widely known as one where students and school management work in a spirit of co-operation. The management and staff of the school are very proud of their students and are assured that they can take their students on any trip, foreign or otherwise, in the full knowledge that they will not cause trouble or misbehave. In view of the difficulties associated with discipline and behaviour at post primary level this is a testament to the commitment and respect ingrained in the school's culture.

The tremendous support from the loyal parents who continue to send their children to the school, despite the fact that there are no indoor sports facilities, must be acknowledged. Parents have such faith in the school and the ability of the teachers and management that the school is seeing the second and third generation of students from many families. This demonstrates the level of belief which the parents and local community have in the school in Killenaule.

On behalf of the school authorities I extend an invitation to the Minister for Education and Science, Deputy Hanafin, to visit the school. The management has expressed the view to me that it would like her to visit during an assembly time. At present, there is an assembly area in the middle of the school that is used for guest speakers, open evenings, parents' night, graduation Masses and other events. Many of the classrooms open on to this assembly area. As one can imagine, this becomes a chaotic scene when the bell chimes and classes pour into an already occupied assembly area. The level of disruption, interruption and pandemonium is unimaginable and inexcusable. Daily routine in Scoil Ruain is difficult for everyone, yet staff and students continue with the daily grind in the hope that one day the promises of the Government might be realised.

Scoil Ruain is in a disadvantaged area. It is acknowledged that if the school were in a city, facilities and resources would be made available. This is a rural school in Tipperary which feels it is invisible and considered to be off the map as far as resources from the Government is concerned. In effect, the sporting and assembly needs of the school have been ditched and ignored by the Government.

The school caters for approximately 400 students. All sporting activities take place outdoors regardless of the weather. The students of Scoil Ruain are at a complete disadvantage by comparison with students who have easy access to indoor facilities. On several occasions during the year, students need to travel to use the facilities of other schools. They need to borrow or rent these facilities. On wet and rainy days, there is no physical education, no exercise and no fitness programme in the school. How does this unacceptable omission square with the Minister's health and fitness programme to combat obesity and diabetes?

If the Government is serious about combating these problems, adequate sporting and assembly facilities must be provided for schools such as Scoil Ruain. Considering the immense financial resources available to the Minister and the unspent funds at her disposal, how can she justify the exclusion of this school from the building programme? I urge the Minister in the strongest possible terms to sanction immediately the necessary funding for the sports hall in Scoil Ruain, Killenaule.

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