Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for allowing me to raise the important issue of Mount Bruis national school in County Tipperary, a school on the outskirts of Tipperary town. It received a devolved grant for development of the school in February 2007 which was greatly appreciated. The school personnel were thankful to the then Minister for Education, Deputy Mary Hanafin, for sanctioning that amount of money. However, they find now that the grant of €485,000 is short of the sum they require. An additional €282,000 is needed to provide what they applied for initially.

The Minister of State will understand the times in which we live. The original application was made in good faith. Now they find that, because of escalating costs across the board, there is the shortfall I mentioned. I hear Deputies from various parts of the country looking for attention for schools. We hear this on a weekly basis and no doubt tomorrow night there will be representations from Deputies for their own areas.

This is a school, however, that that has been sanctioned for an extension. Mount Bruis is a very rural area with a top-class school. In about nine or ten hours from now, kids will walk into that school and they will not be sure of their future. There is a huge concern in this area because 12 years ago the parents and board of management and everybody in that area got together to buy land from an adjacent landowner that would faciliate the sports facilities. These are parents who do not wish for more than is normal, only for the basic amount of money which the Department provided. However, that must now be augmented to make sure that the job can be completed. The stark reality facing the school's board of management is a shortfall of €280,000. They have costed it in every possible way but the grant they received is far less than the sum necessary.

I am not sure if the Minister of State has the answer tonight to the question I have put before him. I shall understand if he does not. I hope, however, that he will give me at least an indication that, at some time in the future, he will be able to give the money required to this school, which has already provided for its own sports facilities. It is the only school in that catchment area which provides education facilities for primary school children. They have done everything they should and all that is needed is that the Department of Education and Science should provide the shortfall. Perhaps the matter I put down was not specific enough in detail and I will understand if the answer is broad but enough to deal with the issue.

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