Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick, Fine Gael)

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for allowing me to raise a matter concerning Scoil Naomh losef, Dromcollogher, County Limerick. The school is seeking support from the Department of Education and Skills for the construction of an additional room for the school. Scoil Naomh losef is the primary school in Dromcollogher, catering for 107 pupils. The school has five classroom teachers and two learning support teachers. There are six classrooms in the building, with one being used as a staff room and storage area. There is no general purpose room, which causes a major problem for a school trying to deliver the 1999 primary curriculum in its entirety. This is particularly difficult during inclement weather, when teachers try to include a weekly one-hour slot of physical education together with other subjects including drama, art, music and the SESE subject areas that require space for children to engage in active, exploratory learning as set out in the in the foreword to the primary curriculum. The problem is also in evidence when the school tries to deliver annual Christmas concerts, parents events, demonstrations, whole school events and other curricular needs. It is simply not an option for the school to use the community centre in Dromcollogher for these activities as it is located at the opposite end of the town.

The school's two cloakrooms have been transformed into an office and learning support room and, as a result, the children's coats are being hung in the corridors, which is hardly ideal. Scoil Naomh Iosef is like many other rural primary schools in the sense that it plays an important part in the life of the wider community. For that reason, any investment by the Department is not just an investment in the school but is an important contribution towards the social infrastructure of the parish. Earlier this evening and last night, I listened to contributions from all sides of the House urging the Government to ensure everything that can potentially be done is done for primary education. Specifically, Deputies encouraged the Minister to invest in school buildings and to reduce the State's dependance on portakabins as an alternative to permanent accommodation. The benefits of this approach - I understand there are budget limitations - are stimulation of the local economy through the construction of extensions and the modernisation of the children's learning environment, reflecting the needs of the school. As a teacher, I have seen at first hand the difference access to space and properly constructed facilities have on the learning experience. I am aware of the benefits that will accrue to Scoil Naomh Iosef if an investment of this order is made.

The school community at Scoil Naomh Iosef, Dromcollogher, is attempting to improve the physical infrastructure of its school and so be in a position to deliver the primary curriculum to its pupils. The quality of learning and teaching available in a modern school environment is partially dependent on the facilities available and it is for this reason I urge the Minister and his Department to look favourably upon the request to have this school included in any future round of funding allocation.

I pay tribute to the management, staff, parents and pupils of Scoil Naomh Iosef and wish them well in their endeavours. I again thank the Ceann Comhairle for affording me the opportunity to raise this matter. I look forward to hearing the Minister of State's reply.

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