Paul Bradford (Fine Gael)

I thank the Minister for Agriculture and Food for being here to represent the Minister for Education and Science. Davis College in Mallow, County Cork, is a newly-built second level school with approximately 400 pupils. When the new campus was built almost four years ago, the principal, staff and students looked forward to a bright future in their new premises. The old Davis College has been in Mallow for many decades and is a well respected school.

The disappointing aspect of the new development for staff and pupils is the lack of playing facilities. County Cork VEC, which operates the school, purchased sufficient land to provide such facilities with the result that a landbank now adjoins the school building. Mallow is one of the towns accorded hub status by the Government and it is important that a second level school of the scale of Davis College should have proper recreational facilities. County Cork VEC has received many representations from staff, students and parents on this matter. County Cork VEC has now written formally to the Minister for Education and Science requesting that funding be made available to provide the playing facilities. I believe approximately €350,000 would be required. Given that the Department has already sanctioned the purchase of land, built a new school and put in place fine facilities, it is disappointing that playing facilities have not been provided. Given that the land is available, I ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food to liaise with the Minister for Education and Science to ensure that adequate recreational facilities, including a football and hurling pitch, are put in place for the approximately 400 pupils in the school. Early progress is required.

Last week, in the wake of the difficulties on St. Patrick's Day, we had a debate on what happens when young people do not have enough sports and recreational facilities. We should begin to address this in our secondary schools by ensuring that children have such facilities. The facilities that exist at Davis College, Mallow, are insufficient. A playing pitch is required and I ask the Minister to make progress in this regard as soon as possible.