Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

After the end of a very long day we very much appreciate that the Minister is present. I rise to inquire about the current situation in regard to Wilson's hospital school in Multyfarnham, County Westmeath. This school was mentioned last week when the Statute Law Revision Bill 2007 was debated. Many schools, particularly the ERASMUS trust schools, had asked that the legislation setting them up would not be removed from the Statute Book as, I understand, it would affect the trust under which they were set up.

Be that at it may, this school is one of great renown and tradition. It is a boarding and day school for boys and girls. Many years ago the management came to me with a request for a new building and they got the famous Preston Building. On that occasion it opened its doors to day pupils from the rural Multyfarnham area. Heretofore it was a boarding school for boys and girls. It is a very good school with a huge tradition behind it but with a modern curriculum. It is a well-run school. I know it well and am a great supporter of it. It provides a niche type of education where it is needed but it does so in a modern democratic way.

I urge that the decision to go ahead with the expansion programme be granted and I look forward to hearing what the Minister has to say.