Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)

Midfield national school applied for a renovation extension in 1997-98. The school had three teachers and 75 pupils. In 1999 funding was sanctioned for Midfield, which was given to proceed. A design team was appointed, architects viewed the building and agreed it was unsuitable, inadequate and outdated. Funding of €25,831 was spent on professional and associated fees. Then the project was shelved. It was advised to apply under the small schools scheme in March 2007 and that application was refused.

I recently visited the school. The classroom, heating, sewerage, roof, windows, toilets and play area are all inadequate. It is a disgrace. All the facilities are sub-standard. There is no staff room, principal's office, learning support room, physical education or general purpose room or storage area. If it was any other business but education, the school would be closed down on health and safety grounds.

This is a small school with three teachers and 75 pupils and this is what rural Ireland is all about. The parents are outraged, as is the community. There was never so much funding in the country and yet here is a school in which children are being educated in sub-standard conditions. The time has come for this school to be sanctioned, the funding put in place and for the teachers and pupils to share a proper educational environment. What is taking place is wrong and I ask the Minister for good news for the Midfield pupils and the school's principal and teachers.

The time has come for the Minister to do something with this school. If we want people to live in rural Ireland we must have the schools and facilities for them to be educated in proper conditions. I am hoping the Minister will have good news for me tonight and for Midfield and the people of Mayo, in sanctioning funding this small school once and for all because the people concerned have worked in terrible conditions.

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