Tom Morrissey (Progressive Democrats)

I welcome the Minister here for this Adjournment matter. It is ironic that I should raise this issue tonight because 12 or 13 years ago I had the honour of leading a march around Castleknock to get the Castleknock Community School built. At that time we were told there was no need for the 450 capacity school that became the major community school in Castleknock.

A gym was built in the school but only for 450 pupils. Following extensions the school has 1,150 pupils and 44 classes but 680 pupils, or 23 classes, cannot be accommodated for physical education because of the size of the original gym. We are all aware of the importance of physical education but while there is a great deal of lip service paid to encouraging young people to participate in sports, 50% of this school's students cannot participate.

The Department of Education and Science sanctioned the proposal for a second gym three or four years ago. I appeal to the Minister to recognise this and to give us some good news.