James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for affording me time to speak on this important matter, namely, the need for the Minister for Education and Science to give an update on the application by St. Joseph's national school, Rathwire, Killucan, County Westmeath, for a new school building in light of increased enrolment and the rapid growth of the local population. I have already received a reply to a parliamentary question on this issue and, while I appreciate the Minister's agreement that additional accommodation will be required at the school to cater for the increase in enrolments due to the current and planned housing developments in the area, her overall response has not been satisfactory.

Outlining the investments due under the new national development plan is rather like telling children about Christmas and the presents Santa Claus is going to bring but then saying it does not apply to them. Promises about school building programmes in the past ten years have brought little in the way of results for many of our schools. I want to see a firm commitment to St. Joseph's school, which is bursting at the seams of its substandard buildings.

This fine school is a victim of its own success and the rapid expansion of the area. The population of the county has increased by 20% in the past ten years. The official enrolment at the end of September was 164 pupils and this is expected to increase to 175 by Christmas, with 19 more already enrolled for next September. By 2010 an enrolment of 400 or more is expected. Staff numbers at the school have increased from four to six teachers, in addition to the principal. The school is a valuable community asset but its future rests on the improvement of the built environment, which cannot be ignored by the Government. The school has been given a four acre site by the Bishop of Meath and all that is needed now is Government funding for the new building. Westmeath County Council will give all the assistance necessary to facilitate the advancement of the project.

The school's current classrooms are too small, with 32 pupils accommodated in 40 square meters. Three pre-fabs are being utilised to ease the pressure on space. Many pupils throughout the country have spent their school days in pre-fab accommodation but I do not want to see that happen to the children of Rathwire. Since 2000, the Government has spent €111 million on temporary accommodation instead of permanent classrooms despite warnings from the State financial watchdog that it would be cheaper to build new buildings.

We should not make the same mistake in this instance. St. Joseph's is surrounded by new housing developments and is anxious to accept all children who wish to enrol. I compliment the teachers, pupils, parents, the principal and the board of management for all the hard work they have put into making their dreams for the school a reality. I ask the Minister to give a firm commitment to helping this school in the interest of educational progression and health and safety. It is unfair to force children and teachers into accommodation when capacity is already maximised. The only blockage to progress at present is the Minister.

See this speech in context