Frank Feighan (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State. The board of management at the school have over the years since amalgamation fought hard to have facilities improved and with the Department co-operation through emergency works, summer work and occasional exceptional funding, ensured the best possible facilities for the pupils and staff. The board of management fully recognises that those facilities and working conditions are well below what should be available to the parents and above all to the staff and pupils who daily provide and benefit from the best possible education with the resources available. The school continues to respond to community needs and other needs as they arise. Indeed, where numbers allowed in one or two classes, additional Ukrainian students have been enrolled. I know the local authority and community will respond positively to assist in identifying a site if required. The local authority is now developing and updating the Carrick-on-Shannon town development plan.

It is good to know that the Department has been considering the long-term needs of the school. We need to review the demographics on the Carrick-on-Shannon school planning area. The technical report on the condition of the school, which followed a visit to the school by the Department's professional and technical personnel, was welcome. We need a determination, as the Minister of State said, as to the best way forward. We all need to work together on this issue. Parents, teachers, management, the local authority and the community will respond with the Department to try to identify a suitable site and will work together for a new school. I am heartened that the Department will be in further contact with the school patron in due course. We all need to work together to get a reasonable and positive solution to this ongoing problem.

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