Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for allowing me to raise this important matter. The new Convent Primary School in Listowel opened in 1990 on a greenfield site. It was then an eight-classroom school with two existing prefabs on the site of the old school. The prefabs were demolished and removed in 2000 due to asbestos danger. The current primary school is unique in that it shares its campus with Nano Nagle special school, an arrangement in which I was involved in 1987 as I was then closely involved with the Nano Nagle school. It was quite forward thinking at the time that a special school should be located on the same site as a mainstream school.

At present 19 mainstream teachers are working in the following conditions. The school has eight classrooms, seven portacabins, one converted small entrance hall which is used as a classroom, one corridor with a fire exit which is used as a classroom, one converted small library which is used as a classroom and the principal's office. There are 270 children attending the school, including special needs children, some of whom are autistic or have Down's syndrome, impaired hearing or cerebral palsy, among other conditions.

Due to the seven portacabins in the schoolyard the play area is severely restricted. This situation presents an ongoing daily nightmare in the schoolyard for both pupils and teachers. Running is curtailed due to lack of space in the playground, which is just 22 m by 16 m. As a result, children are allowed outside for only half the normal play time as the yard is too small to accommodate everyone. Basketball was played but this no longer happens in the schoolyard as portakabins are now located in the basketball play area. Portakabins present health problems for children and teachers due to fluctuating temperature in winter and summer, and in any case the portakabins are undersized.

There is also a major difficulty with car parking. The carpark in front of school, which I pass regularly, is extremely dangerous; but for good traffic management, accidents would happen. The carpark is shared with Nano Nagle special school, although just 20 carpark spaces are available. A green area could be converted into carparking spaces and I do not know why this has not been done.

There are 18 teachers and nine ancillary staff in the Convent primary school and 11 teachers and 32 ancillary staff in the Nano Nagle school. Therefore, there is a shortfall of 50 carparking spaces, without taking into account the number of parents and others who visit the school on a regular basis. This presents daily a chaotic and dangerous situation for teachers, parents and children and all concerned.

An application was made on 4 November 2004 for an extension to the school. The commission on accommodation recommended an immediate extension to the Convent primary school. The projection of new pupils is very consistent for future years and Listowel is a growing town with a population that will increase gradually. At present, parents are being forced to send their children to the neighbouring rural schools and this in turn puts pressure on those schools to increase their accommodation.

I appeal to the Minister to give some positive news to the principal, staff and board of management of the convent primary school in Listowel. They have a very strong case. It is not acceptable that children should have to be taught in portakabins that are not of proper size. In this age of obesity, young children need play areas and it is not acceptable that their playground should be taken over and restricted by the presence of portakabins.

See this speech in context