Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for the reply. The Minister for Education and Skills should consider the M4 study, which indicated that between 2011 and 2017 the demographic need was pressing. One can always get a set of criteria to suit whatever outcome one wants to achieve. There are very few primary schools outside a major urban centre with 560 pupils. In the satellite areas for 5 miles around it, there are five primary schools, each with 100 pupils. Kinnegad is on the eastern side of Westmeath, the envelope of Westmeath and is a beautiful town. A secondary school in Kinnegad would also facilitate students from just across the county boundary in Meath. The demographics are extremely positive. A huge influx of people came into the area in the early 2000s up to 2008.

The county development plan provided for that influx. It also provided for the designation of an area consistent with the M4 study to be zoned for education. The land is there. The Minister will never again have the opportunity to get this land. It is very reasonable. Nobody is trying to gazump anybody else. It is available at a fixed price and is adjacent to the primary school, a complementary location. It will be very disappointing if an opportunity like this is not taken.

There is a population of approximately 3,000 in Kinnegad with a significant cohort of young people. This increases to 5,000 when the hinterland is included. St. Etchen's is one of the largest rural primary schools, accommodating 560 pupils. There is a strong and compelling case to make sure Kinnegad is not bypassed on this occasion and gets the secondary school it deserves. It is important for the third largest town, which is expanding, in Westmeath. The people there are willing to put their shoulders to the wheel to make sure this becomes a reality.

I urge the Department of Education and Skills to stop its usual foot-dragging tactics. It always allows the egg to be cracked and then tries to unscramble it. It has the opportunity to buy land at a very reasonable price that is designated for educational infrastructure. Now is the time. Studies are only exercises in procrastination, obfuscation and delay. There is no need for any more studies of demographics. The Department can check with Matt Melvin and the other teachers there, who will tell it about the study. I do not want any more foot-dragging on this. It is time that it was brought, and driven, forward. I ask the Minister of State to relay that to the Minister for Education and Skills. I will certainly take every opportunity of doing so to ensure that the voice of the people of Kinnegad, who deserve a secondary school, is heard.

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