Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for providing me with an opportunity to raise this important education matter in my constituency. I also thank the Minister of State, Deputy Cannon, for attending the House to respond.

Presentation secondary school in Miltown is one of three secondary schools in mid-Kerry. It draws students from a vast area stretching from Annascaul to Killarney and Glenbeigh to Firies but mainly from its own catchment area. It has a proud history dating back over half a century to 1958. The Presentation Order has a history in Milltown dating back to the 1800s. The current school site was acquired in 1976 and the new school built in 1981. The student population has grown enormously since. In a way, the school has become a victim of its own success, with its excellent reputation drawing more and more students every year. The school population is now 543, even though it was designed and built to cater for a cohort of 180 to 200 pupils. The population of Milltown will, undoubtedly, grow in the coming years, with nine new housing estates having been built in the village in the last decade. This will further increase the pressure on the school.

The school continues to turn out excellent young adults, many of whom have achieved highly in life during the years. This is a fair reflection of the school's excellent staff and dynamic ethos. Unfortunately, however, prefabricated temporary accommodation now comprises two thirds of the school buildings. Some of these units have been on site for over 20 years. On a recent visit to the school, I saw at first hand the cramped conditions in which staff and students had to operate. The older prefabs, in particular, are often cold, damp and stuffy. Four classrooms, located in a building across the busy R563 Killarney to Milltown road from the main school building, were originally built as a primary school in the 1930s. They are poorly insulated and hard to heat. As they are not sound-proof, it is hard for teachers and students to concentrate on their work while the activities of neighbouring classes can be heard. The main problem is that every hour up to 240 students must cross the R563 between classes. This is far from ideal in this day and age. Even though a pedestrian crossing links these classrooms with the main school building, a student was knocked down last year on her way to class.

A building adjacent to the school complex is also being used as a classroom owing to the shortage of space. This building was originally built in the 1800s when it was used as a Church of Ireland primary school. Unfortunately, it has not seen any major changes since. Therefore, one can imagine the conditions experienced there.

The school has no indoor physical education facilities, no changing area and no shower facilities. All PE activity must take place outside, regardless of weather conditions, and students must change in makeshift changing rooms. The lack of showers and proper sanitary conditions is unacceptable from a personal hygiene perspective. There is no general assembly hall, no canteen and no library, while there are very limited IT and toilet facilities for students and staff. There is also a shortage of administrative space.

The school has a proud history of inclusiveness and a high number of students with resource teaching hours. It also has a very high rate of student retention. By being non-selective in its admission policy, it caters for a wide range of students. In 2006 a greenfield site beside the existing school was acquired by the Presentation Sisters for a new school building which is badly needed, as continued departmental investment in temporary accommodation is not the long-term answer.

I call on the Minister of State and his departmental officials to prioritise this school for the provision of a new school building, given the large student population and the need for a new building to facilitate the delivery of a modern, responsive education service for young adults. While I understand the huge budgetary restraints affecting all Departments as a result of mismanagement by the previous Administration, I urge the Minister of State to make every effort to find the finance to allow this much needed school building project to proceed.

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