David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Ceann Comhairle for giving me the opportunity to raise this matter. The purpose of this motion on the Adjournment is to ask the Minister for Education and Science to make funding available immediately to prevent sewage contaminated water flooding the grounds of Kilcredan national school in east Cork. This happened recently following heavy overnight rain and resulted in a major health hazard for the staff and students. Unless urgent action is taken, this may lead to the possible closure of the school. I also ask the Minister to prioritise the provision of two extra and badly needed classrooms and associated support rooms at the school.

I stand open to correction but the Minister of State opposite, Deputy Tim O'Malley, does not hold a portfolio at the Department of Education and Science and his job is merely to come to the Chamber and read a prepared statement. This highlights the need for urgent Dáil reform, as stated in the earlier debate. However, I hope the Minister of State will communicate my request to his colleagues in the Department of Education and Science. The standard reply one receives from that Department is that one should check its website. That is not good enough in cases where emergencies occur and where, as in this instance, an urgent need exists.

I reject the criticism that Deputies should not ask questions about schools in the Dáil because all the information is provided on the Department's website. That does not take into account the fact that emergencies occur and that we are obliged to use this mechanism to raise such issues. That is why I welcome the opportunity to raise this matter.

Kilcredan national school was built in 1972. It received almost no assistance or maintenance funding for 30 years. Last year, fortunately, following many representations, some new windows were installed. These were very welcome. There are 219 students in this excellent rural school. The area is growing, increasing numbers of people are moving there and there is a great demand for places at the school.

Last week there was heavy rain and flooding which gave rise to the problem to which I refer, which has occurred on more than one occasion. The problem is that the drainage system cannot take the excess water and the septic tanks fill up and overflow. This results in sewage contaminated water floating in the school yard and its environs. The Minister of State, who holds a portfolio in the Department of Health and Children, will agree that this situation should not be allowed to continue to obtain. I ask him to talk to the officials in the Department of Education and Science with a view to ensuring that action is taken as soon as possible in order to prevent a recurrence. I do not want to have to come before the House to discuss health scares. We want to prevent such events from happening.

The second part of my motion refers to the fact that the school requires additional classrooms. The school is so successful, thanks to its teaching and other staff, that it attracts many students. The rooms are inadequate and small. The authorities at the school have sought additional accommodation for some time. I understand that the last review took place at the school in the 1999-2000 school year. I urge that a further review take place with a view to moving it from stage three in the planning process. I am sure the Minister of State will indicate that it currently stands at this stage and should not move. Things have changed and the school has grown. The Department should review and revise its famous website on a regular basis to take account of changes that occur because of the success of schools.

I again thank the Ceann Comhairle's office for allowing me to raise this matter. I look forward to the Minister of State's reply and ask him to bring the matter to the attention of his colleagues at the Department of Education and Science and request that they take action as a matter of urgency.

Tim O'Malley (Limerick East, Progressive Democrats)
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I thank the Deputy for giving me the opportunity to outline to the House the Department of Education and Science's position regarding Kilcredan national school, Castlemartyr, County Cork, and the need to address the sewerage system at the school and the provision of additional accommodation.

At present, Kilcredan national school has a staffing level of a principal plus eight mainstream teachers, one resource teacher, one shared resource teacher and learning support. The school had an enrolment of 216 pupils on 30 September last.

The primary responsibility for health and safety issues relating to school buildings rests with the school managerial authorities. To assist school authorities fulfil their obligations, an annual grant is paid to schools under the grant scheme for minor works. This is also known as the devolved grant. The level of grant paid amounts to €3,809 per school plus €12.70 per pupil and was paid last December for the current school year. If the board of management of Kilcredan national school is unable to resolve the sewerage problem through the use of this grant, it should contact the Department of Education and Science to progress the matter.

I am pleased to inform the House that a full design team has been appointed and the architectural design of the major project to provide additional accommodation at the school is progressing. Kilcredan national school is listed in section 9 of the 2004 school building programme which is published on the Department's website. This proposed project is at stages four to five of architectural planning. It has been assigned a band three rating by the Department in accordance with the published criteria for prioritising large-scale projects.

The Department grant aids the rental of temporary accommodation in respect of primary schools requiring interim accommodation to cater for schools awaiting the provision of permanent accommodation. Formal application for such grant aid should be made to the school planning section of the Department on the appropriate form. This form has been forwarded to the management authority of Kilcredan national school for completion. I again take the opportunity to thank the Deputy for raising this issue.