Michael Brennan (Progressive Democrats)

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Haughey, to the House and wish him well in his new portfolio.

I raise the matter of the lack of playground facilities at St. James's national school, Cappagh, Askeaton. I acknowledge the tremendous work carried out in this school in Cappagh as part of the capital programme. A total of €457,000 was provided for classroom extensions together with a local contribution of €53,000, bringing the investment in the school up to more than €500,000.

I and my fellow politicians from west Limerick visited the school and met Mr. Cyril Madigan and five teachers. As a result of the development that has taken place, a very small amount of money is available towards the provision of playground facilities, the lack of which is a serious problem. I understand an appeal was submitted for such funding. The school was not allocated funding under category nine of the summer works programme.

I ask the Minister of State to ensure that the necessary finance is made available to provide playground facilities, which are important and should have been covered under the capital programme. I ask him to keep the line of communications open. The builder is still on site and will be there for some weeks. It would be beneficial if the Department could provide the necessary finance for the these playground facilities, which are necessary as part of the today's school curriculum.