Carol Nolan (Offaly, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his response but I am disappointed with it.

The board of management of this school submitted an application to the capital appraisal section of the Department of Education and Skills for additional accommodation because it is a growing school. The Minister mentioned increasing numbers. There are certainly increasing numbers in this school and the fact that it had been allocated another teacher proves this. I do not buy in to that excuse.

The school received a letter from the capital appraisal section in the Department on 24 April advising that its application for additional accommodation has been refused due to funding. The Department also advised that the school use the multi-purpose room as a classroom. This multi-purpose room is totally unsuitable. It does not have toilet facilities and the room currently is used as a multi-sensory room for children with special needs. The Minister is making announcements about special needs and how things are improving in that end, but how can this school possibly take this room from those children? It does not make sense. The children with special needs use this room and it is unfair not to meet their needs by giving this room.

I hope the Minister will revisit this issue. If he wishes to call to the school or visit the school at any time, I am sure it would be delighted. I ask the Minister to look at it. It makes no sense that one section of his Department sanctioned the teaching post and another section then refused to give the classroom for it. Are we going back to hedge schools? What is happening? It does not make sense.

See this speech in context