James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)

I thank the a Cheann Comhairle for affording me time to discuss this important motion, namely the need for the Minister for Education and Science to provide an update on the new school building for Loughegar national school, County Westmeath. Loughegar school first opened in 1872 and additional accommodation was added in 1934. Given the unsuitable condition of the original building, a new school was opened in October 1964 to accommodate the then roll of 69 pupils. The school amalgamated with Turin national school and a new school wing was added in 1971, consisting of two classrooms and a general purpose room. The school at that time had 122 pupils and four teachers.

Subsequently, due to an increased enrolment roll figure of 158 pupils, a fifth teacher was appointed in 1980. In compliance with the appointment and retention figures, as per Department of Education and Science circulars, a sixth teacher was appointed in 2001. Due to lack of space as the school was awaiting approval for a new school building, the board of management decided to utilise the old 1872 building for this new class on the understanding that it was rented to the Department pending the opening of the new school and that it was a strictly temporary measure.

It appears, however, that an "understanding" means as little to the Government as its pre-election promises. It will come as no surprise to the Minister of State that the classroom, built in 1872, is still in use today. Children in the 21st century are being accommodated in a 136-year-old building, which was deemed completely unsuitable for the education of children 44 years ago. It may not shock the Minister of State, but the health and safety implications certainly horrify me, the teachers and parents involved. The Minister of State should visualise this unbearable workplace scenario. Would he and his Government colleagues be happy to work in accommodation that has deteriorated to such an extent? Problems with rats mean that rat poison is spread and pest control monitors are permanently stationed in several classrooms. In addition, there are droppings from bats in the attic. The removal of asbestos used in the construction of the 1964 building and the new wing in 1971, resulted in the installation of a temporary ceiling, which is still in place. On windy days the ceiling squares are continually displaced and are warped and prone to condensation. The septic tank and sewers are overflowing into playing areas and the system is totally inadequate to support the current number of teachers, teaching assistants and pupils. There is a dangerous crack in one of the walls.

With an enrolment figure for the new 2008-09 school year of 173, the need for a new school at Loughegar is now more urgent than ever. On the basis of pupil numbers, Loughegar national school is entitled to employ a new teacher in September 2009, which will require the provision of another new classroom. This brings the school full circle, back to the situation that pertained in 2001. Logic dictates that this school, which has reached the final stage of the process with a contract in hand, must be allowed to proceed to tender. I am quite sure even this uncaring Government would not suggest that these pupils should be housed in an attic with bats.

In 1998, the Department decided that given the cost of an extension, a new school building was required by Loughegar school and it sanctioned this work. Then what has been described as a "code of silence" ensued under the Minister's predecessor, with the Department refusing to answer letters or take phone calls from the school. I am aware that the Minister met with representatives of the school this summer, but this meeting was an empty exercise with no positive outcome for Loughegar and no commitment to proceed with the building work.

Ten years is a long time to wait. The indisputable facts of this case are that the go-ahead for the building of the new school at Loughegar was given ten years ago, but there has been no follow through. The school now finds itself once again the victim of its own success, with rising pupil numbers and the appointment of a new teacher next year requiring another classroom. I am asking for a firm commitment to allow Loughegar to proceed with the building of its new school without further delay. The is a huge public demand for the new facility. There will be public meetings over the coming months to obtain the facts from the Department. I plead with the Minister of State not to allow that situation to continue and to permit the new school project to proceed forthwith.

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