Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)

I join my colleagues in congratulating Deputy Howlin on his recent election to the position of Leas-Cheann Comhairle. I also thank the office of the Ceann Comhairle for allowing me to address this issue tonight. It concerns an emerging crisis in Dublin 15 at both primary and secondary level. I particularly want to discuss the secondary school crisis in Castleknock, a suburb of Dublin with a population of 40,000 and only one secondary school. It is clear from the numbers attending the primary schools within the catchment area that by 2009 the 210 places available in the school each year will not be adequate. They are already not adequate but by 2009 at least 90 local children will be turned away from their local school. The direct responsibility for this lies with Fianna Fáil and, in particular, the Minister for Education and Science, Deputy Hanafin, and the Minister for Transport and the Marine, Deputy Dempsey, who, as recently as last year, told us in written answers that an additional school was not needed in Castleknock. As a result of those answers, attempts by me and other councillors to reserve a site in the Fingal county development plan were thwarted. I hope the Minister of State, in his response tonight, treats this issue with respect. I do not want to hear about Hansfield, Tyrellstown or Phibblestown, any more than I want to hear about schools in counties Westmeath, Kilkenny and Carlow. I hope he will address directly the secondary school crisis in Castleknock.

I have four simple questions which I hope the Minister of State will answer. First, does the Department accept its responsibility for allowing this crisis to develop? Second, has it acquired a site and, in particular, entered negotiations with Castleknock College, the local fee-paying school, with regard to acquiring a site? Third, will the Minister commit to establishing a new school, even if it has to be on a temporary site, by 2009, regardless of whether a site can be acquired? Fourth, will the Minister commit to appointing a provisional board for the new school before the end of the year?

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