Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Minister, in his concluding remarks, said that the application is under review and I would like that status to move to finalisation and approval. I hope that he will be outlining approval for the project the next time he communicates with us on this matter.

The Minister gets requests for worthy building projects that need to be advanced every day of the week but this one is exceptionally worthy. The school in question is overcrowded and does not have PE facilities for more than 500 pupils. Some of the existing classrooms need upgrading as a matter of urgency.

There school has exceptionally good academic results. I instanced earlier all the extracurricular activities that go on and, if permission for the PE hall is granted, it would be available for the community. This school does not close at 5 p.m. or 6 p.m. It is open, within reason, for community events and there is also access for other schools to use its facilities.

The money that the Minister will hopefully allocate at an early date will be put to exceptionally good use and is needed. St. Aidan's comprehensive school was established in 1966 and is a source of pride to everybody in Cavan and Monaghan. It draws pupils from both counties and was one of the first comprehensive schools established after the announcement of the extension of free second level education to all in the mid-1960s. It is basically the same school that was founded in the 1960s with some upgrading work completed over the years. There is a requirement for further upgrading and refurbishment work.

I instanced the PE hall but there is also a need for proper construction and engineering for classrooms, an art room and the heating system. There are no canteen facilities in the school for the 512 pupils and 53 staff. That is a big congregation of people in a limited building.

I said earlier that the Cavan-Monaghan Education and Training Board will manage the project when it gets to the stage of construction. That board has delivered projects on time and within budget for the Department in Cavan and Monaghan over the past few years. I have no doubt that, when the Minister is in a position to approve that funding, the money will be put to very good use. The wider community in Cootehill will very much appreciate the provision of those upgraded and additional facilities.

See this speech in context