Dan Neville (Limerick West, Fine Gael)

I thank Deputy Cregan for sharing his time with me. I am delighted to have the opportunity to raise this matter on the Adjournment.

We are very concerned about some of the activity around Kilfinane school. It is also of concern that the school has outside toilets and that the children must cross the school yard, out of the view of the teachers, to use the toilets. Some worrying activity has recently taken place in the vicinity of the toilets.

Firm commitments were made in 2002 by a Fianna Fáil Minister that the school would be completed without delay. Again in this election year, commitments were made and accepted. A firm commitment was made that in January 2007 the school would be one of the 54 to proceed to tender within 12 months, that contractors were to be short listed and it would go to tender, and that construction would commence in January 2008. Two weeks ago, information was received that no certainty existed in this regard and that funds might be diverted to rapidly growing urban areas. This is a betrayal of children, teachers and parents. It condemns them to continue in unacceptable conditions as I outlined on several occasions in this House between 2002 and 2004. Children crossing a school yard in all weathers to use toilets that are not in view of the teachers is unbelievable and dangerous. A school constructed in 1888 with some upgrading in 1909 is unsuitable for teaching requirements in 2007. This has been accepted by the Department for the past ten years and the school should be built next year.

See this speech in context