James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)

I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle for affording me time to discuss this important matter. Also, I welcome the new Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills and I wish him the best of luck in his new portfolio. This matter concerns the need for the Minister to provide essential funding for a new school building for Curraghmore national school, Mullingar, County Westmeath, which currently has seven out of eight classes accommodated in prefabs at an annual cost of €84,800 and at a total cost of €450,000 for the past ten years. Some of these temporary structures were second-hand when installed ten years ago and they have deteriorated considerably in the intervening years.

The wastage by the previous Government has played a large part in the predicament in which many schools have found themselves. One of the major scandals associated with the Fianna Fáil Green Party Government was that so much money was wasted on white elephants while schools were neglected. Schools which should of necessity have been provided with the construction of new buildings many years ago have had to struggle on in sub-standard temporary accommodation, which has cost taxpayers millions of euro.

Curraghmore national school has been informed of a rapid school development list which can enable schools to be built in 35 weeks. While I am not fully aware of the provision, Curraghmore would be a contender for a top ranking on such a list. Despite being informed by the Department ten years ago that an eight classroom school was required and should be built for Curraghmore, nothing has materialised in the intervening time.

Curraghmore is an eight teacher school of 210 pupils with seven classes in prefabs for the past ten years. Costs for this temporary accommodation have already amounted to €500,000. With pupils receiving all of their primary education in such accommodation, which is seriously outmoded, there are serious associated health and safety risks. Poor ventilation can cause asthma, leaks and decay of the prefabs are a serious concern, flooding, rot, broken gutters, leaking pipes and traffic congestion impact adversely on education and well being. Physical development is at risk with lack of exercise facilities potentially leading to obesity. There is no green area for play. Outside breaks and physical education take place on a tarmacadam surface. Since the school has no general purpose room or gymnasium, exercise is weather dependent. The school has no money for the provision of buses to local sports facilities. Cold winters have led to pipes freezing. In turn, this has lead to a lack of water, heat, toilet facilities and, ultimately, school closures.

The Department of Education and Skills has identified a need for extra primary school classes in the Mullingar area and has made it clear that funding will be provided for a new school only if extra class spaces are provided. All other schools in the area are operating to full capacity. If it were provided with the necessary facilities, Curraghmore could relieve some of this pressure on places.

A four acre site is required for the new school as near as possible to the current location. Westmeath County Council has agreed to begin the compulsory purchase order process on zoned land on the Ardmore Road, Mullingar. The local bishop has given a commitment in writing to the Department of Education and Skills that the parish will purchase the land. While I am aware that the Minister has inherited a flawed system with limited resources, I impress on him the urgent need for a permanent built environment for this school, which has waited for ten years for a commitment to a new school building to be met. I hope to hear good news from the Minister of State this evening.

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