John Minihan (Progressive Democrats)

I also thank the Minister of State for giving up her time and coming to the House to debate this matter. While I acknowledge the great inroads made by the previous Government in the area of education, with increased expenditure of 62% over the past five years, we all know that there is still much work to be done. As we approach the budget and as the Minister prioritises the works to be carried out in the year ahead, one must note the plight of one school and appeal to the Minister to give serious consideration to prioritising it based on the facts and allow it to advance to the next stage of its extension plans in the forthcoming Estimates.

St. Joseph's national school in Riverstown, Glanmire, County Cork, has been seeking development for 17 years. As we all know, primary education is the foundation stone of a balanced and productive life. Seventeen years represent two generation cycles of national school.