Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for accepting this item for discussion this afternoon and I appreciate the attendance of the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Ruairí Quinn, to respond to it.

I sought this debate due to the urgency of the issue. The principal and secretary of the board of management of St. Mary's boys national school in Belturbet, Mr. Padraig Martin, has appealed the decision of the Department to turn down the summer works scheme 2011 application submitted by the school. In the appeal Mr. Martin clearly outlines that the application met with the criteria of the scheme. The application is for the provision of appropriate toilet facilities.

Section 2 of the summer works scheme 2011 states that an application for toilet facilities is allowable. In addition, the proposed project is of an urgent and priority nature, which is covered by section 1 of the scheme. It is clear from the school's correspondence to the Department that the overcrowded and generally unsuitable condition of the current facilities is a cause of concern to the staff, the board of management and the parents on health and safety grounds. It also causes disruption to routine school day activities.

It has been pointed out to the Department that the parents of special needs pupils have, understandably, conveyed to the board of management and the staff their unhappiness and concern about the lack of toilet facilities for the disabled. This necessitates children with special needs being attended to by female special needs assistants in conditions that are not near satisfactory. There are 76 pupils in St. Mary's boys national school, nine of whom have a diagnosis of a physical, sensory or emotional behavioural nature. Four of these children require the assistance of a special needs assistant for toilet and self-care issues. Occasionally, a child might need to have clothing changed. Proper facilities would enable the needs of children to be cared for in a manner that protects the child's dignity and privacy.

The senior paediatric occupational therapist in the HSE in the Cavan area has clearly stated, in supporting correspondence submitted with the appeal, that there is an urgent need to have proper and modern toilet facilities provided at the school. In addition, local health nurses have outlined their concerns about the current situation. Those nurses are very familiar with the requirements of the pupils in the school, particularly the children with special needs.

The comprehensive appeal submitted to the Department contained the reasoned and considered views of the board of management, the principal and staff, the parent body and local health professionals. I appeal to the Minister to have this appeal designated as a priority in his Department for finalisation and approval at an early date.

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