James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for affording me time to discuss this important matter, namely, the need for the Minister for Education and Science, to provide additional funding for Colehill national school, a rural school, probably the largest in County Longford, for sewerage treatment replacement works, traffic management installations and fire safety certificate requirements, such as access roadway for fire tenders to the rear of school and a 30,000 gallon water storage tank for fire fighting.

Colehill national school is grateful to the Department of Education and Science for the funding it has received to date. However the outstanding works required by this school are essential to the health and safety of its pupils. The burden of these works has been imposed by necessity and by the requirements of Longford County Council. I am aware that the sewerage upgrade has been applied for under the summer works scheme 2009 and I would be much obliged if the Minister could confirm that this scheme will go ahead as planned this year.

However, of particular concern to me is the issue of fire safety requirements. Longford County Council is right to enforce measures for the protection of the pupils of this school in respect of fire regulations. However, the money is simply not there to provide the necessary facilities. The school is currently facing a bill of €189,196.67 for additional infrastructure. The items arising due to fire safety certificate requirements have been costed at €39,725.00 for a 30,000 gallon static tank for fire-fighting due to the inadequacy of the group water scheme in terms of volume and pressure and €16,591.92 for the provision of an access roadway for fire tenders to the rear of the school.

The foul water sewerage treatment system replacement works will require an outlay of €53,345.00. The existing septic tank and percolation area overflows into the playing fields approximately twice a year, which is a significant health and hygiene hazard. The cost of revised bus and car set-down areas, including parking, as required by Longford County Council has been costed at €68,214.75. Such vehicular access provision has a direct impact on pedestrian safety which is of the utmost importance in a school environment.

The overall cost of the works at Colehill school is €680,449.40, with €360,000 already received from the Department and this is much appreciated. The school is left with a deficit, in total of €320,449.40 in funding. Nevertheless the school has proceeded with the project and is actively fund-raising for which I compliment the principal, Bríd Lynn and the other teachers, the board of management and the parents for taking the initiative to go ahead with a project in the interests of safety but the money is not there to pay for it. However given the small local population and current financial climate, Colehill national school would be grateful for any additional funding to meet health and safety requirements. We have all read stories of fires that went rapidly out of control due to inadequate fire-fighting facilities. We cannot afford to put the lives of our children at risk in any way.

I ask the Minister for Education and Science to consider the problems facing this school and to see fit to assist it to meet all of the safety requirements of Longford County Council in regard to safety and health issues. I would appreciate a positive response to this Adjournment matter. The need for health and safety in our schools and in other environments where the public congregate cannot be emphasised often enough. It is important from a health and safety point of view that funding be made available. The principal has taken the initiative but it has to be paid for somehow.

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