Ulick Burke (Galway East, Fine Gael)

If ever we wanted an example of a classic waste of money within the Department, here it is. At present the school has seven classrooms, four of which are prefabricated buildings. The other three are 60 years old, from a different age, architecturally speaking, and are too small. The cost to the school of these, on a monthly basis, is €1,728 or more than €20,000 per year. Local people are waiting since 1998 for this school. It is probable that €250,000 would probably have built it in the intervening period.

Because the school is rated at band 1.1 I ask the Tánaiste to grant the money and allow the building to progress. More than €30,000 has been spent on architectural fees, in addition to planning and other fees. The patron, Dr. Kirby, has made a site available. For reasons of health and safety associated with overcrowding and because the facilities are unbelievable I ask the Tánaiste to give sanction approval to this school as a matter of urgency.

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