Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick East, Fine Gael)

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for allowing me to raise this important matter on the Adjournment. The John F. Kennedy Memorial School, Ennis Road, Limerick, caters for 282 boys from second class to sixth class with a complement of 16 teachers and a great principal. The school opened on 1 July 1965 and was named after the late President of the United States, John Fitzgerald Kennedy, who visited Limerick in 1963. As far back as July 1971, the school was approved for new accommodation with sanction given for a 16-teacher facility. This was reaffirmed by the Department of Education and Science 30 years later in 2001. In the eight years since, the school has reached all stages of the building process and is now awaiting approval to go to tender.

The school should have been provided for funding for this stage well before this date. Back in November 2008, there was a meeting between the school management and the Minister for Education and Science after which there was an understanding that the school would be provided with funding this year. The school has yet to receive information to that effect.

The school is also on the incorrect banding rate of 2.4, which effectively refers to minor refurbishments to existing buildings, when it should be on a 2.1 rating, a new school build. In 2005, after the Department's chief architect visited the school, the decision was made to completely demolish the existing building and rebuild the school. There is also evidence that the day-to-day functionality of the school will be impaired unless remedial action is taken promptly.

The school has six prefab rooms attached to the main building which are damp and the classrooms are too small. The toilets are situated outside and are antiquated. The school is very open with public access at the back. What is required is the school to be re-banded from a 2.4 to 2.1 rating. My understanding is that the banding decision will be taken in the next week to ten days. I wrote to the Minister on 8 October following representations to me by the school management, principal and parents' association and followed this up with a further letter on 12 October which included a report from the project architects clearly indicating that this school should be given a 2.4 rather than 2.1 rating. I welcome that a meeting will take place with the Department of Education and Science on 26 November to progress the application to stage 2(b).

I want confirmation from the Minister of State tonight that the school's rating will be upgraded from 2.4, which is refurbishment, to 2.1, which is refurbishment of a significant nature. The school is to be rebuilt by agreement with the Department of Education and Science and as such what is required is demolition and new school build. Furthermore, I would like the Minister of State to confirm that the school will be allowed to go to tender stage to enable this project to proceed. It is hoped building of the new school will be able to commence next February, some 40 years after agreement on construction of a new school was agreed. I look forward to hearing good news from the Minister of State tonight in regard to JFK Memorial national school, Limerick.

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