Michael Finucane (Fine Gael)

I thank Senator Brennan for sharing his time with me. I, like the Senator, attended the protest parade outside this school in Cappagh last Monday morning. It was sad to see primary school children and their parents walking up and down protesting outside the school because the Department of Education and Science did not grant the school funding under the summer works scheme for the provision of a playground. It is a matter of concern that the children are in the dismal position of not having a playground, especially when there is much talk today about the problem of obesity in children. It was a retrograde step for the Department not to grant aid this project, given that the parents in this small rural community raised more than €50,000 towards the cost of the school extension, which they very much welcomed.

We discussed the Appropriations Bill yesterday and I noted that a total €90 million was handed back from three Departments, namely, the Office of Public Works, Transport and Environment, Heritage and Local Government, to be used as extra funding in 2007 on the basis that it was not spent in 2006. I cannot understand why it is not possible to fund a project of this kind under the summer works scheme.

The school submitted an appeal and I understand from the appeals section of the Department that it has not decided on the date it will discuss projects of this kind. This is a worthwhile project that deserves assistance. I hope the Minister of State has good news for us.