Michael Kitt (Fianna Fail)

I wish to share my time with Senator Ulick Burke. This issue concerns Cahergal national school near Tuam, County Galway. Before the last general election several schools in north Galway sought improvements and some wanted new developments. Under the pilot or devolved programme many of those schools and their boards of management have had their wishes fulfilled and work is in progress in several areas such as Briarfield, Newtown and Barnaderg national school.

Cahergal national school has had a serious problem because of increased numbers and the board of management cannot proceed with the devolved programme until it gets extra lands. Land is available beside the school which would be very suitable for purchase and development. The school enrolment has increased over recent years and the figures for next year also show an increase as the school is near Tuam and many students from the greater catchment area are travelling there. It has an excellent staff but sadly the buildings are not in good condition. We have had several meetings there and we were hopeful when the devolved programme came about that this school would qualify. It qualified, but it is a catch-22 situation in that they need land for further development. I hope that the Minister can set the record straight here in the House regarding the acquisition of those lands and allow the devolved programme or pilot scheme to continue.