Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)

I acknowledge the investment made in the school in the provision of temporary accommodation in recent years. Unfortunately, however, as I am sure the Minister of State will agree, the provision of temporary accommodation is not the long-term answer. The new school building should be built as soon as possible. While I appreciate the efforts being made to move the project to the next stage, we need to see an intensification of the process in order that the new school building will be given absolute priority. Any help the Minister or the Minister of State could give would be greatly appreciated. While the new school building is awaited, hundreds of students will pass through the existing school buildings in the next few years in unacceptable conditions. Students are getting wet while walking considerable distances between classrooms in the rain. This is not acceptable. I want to see this project being given absolute priority. I hope we will not have to wait years to hear good news. Therefore, I urge the Minister of State and the Minister to do everything in their power to ensure the project school is given absolute priority. I invite them to visit the school to see at first hand the conditions being experienced. They would be more than welcome.

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