George Lawlor (Wexford, Labour)

I thank the Minister of State for his response. However it is quite disappointing to discover that in this day and age, considering issues of mental health, well-being and the importance of physical activity, a PE hall does not appear to be on the agenda for this school. This is the only secondary school in County Wexford that does not have a PE hall or a gymnasium. The school is expected to operate with below substandard facilities, yet the response is that it is not a priority. We hear talk day in, day out that the provision of facilities for physical activity to improve the well-being and mental health of people is to the forefront. Here we have a situation where a DEIS school which has an enrolment of 413 students is expected to operate in what is, in effect, a large classroom. It is expected to operate in substandard conditions at a time when we are talking about making PE a central component of the leaving certificate. It makes no sense whatsoever.

I appreciate that the Minister of State is here today on behalf of the Minister for Education and Youth. I ask him to bring this back to the Minister, Deputy McEntee, and emphasise the importance of this issue for the students, parents and teachers of this school. They are battling and running up a hill trying to provide facilities that are available tenfold in other schools in the immediate area. This school deserves recognition and support from the Government and the Department of Education and Youth. The Department is not known for being hasty, as the Minister of State well knows, when it comes to the provision of facilities. This is an urgent request from the pupils, teachers and families of those who attend CBS New Ross. I ask that this be brought to the Minister for her urgent attention.

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