Nicky McFadden (Fine Gael)

I thank Senator Buttimer because I know he has much to say and I appreciate the time he has given me. I also thank the Minister and I will keep my contribution short by speaking specifically about projects in Athlone.

I acknowledge the investment Athlone has received, especially Our Lady's Bower in Summerhill which the Minister visited to open a science building. I met her on that occasion and I appreciate the money which has been contributed. Athlone community college is the school dearest to my heart as I was a member of the vocational education committee, VEC, and chairman of the board of management. Last year we received an undertaking that a new school would be built after we received a fire certificate from the fire officer and conducted a feasibility study on its necessity. The project seems to have stalled, however, and last week, after much delay, we realised there is an issue regarding the size of the school. The chief executive officer held a meeting with officials of the Department of Education and Science on the inadequacy of the size as we are trying to cater for 1,000 pupils. The plans drawn up by the Department are far smaller than those initially anticipated and I ask the Minister to investigate this impasse.

We have a site and have bought the old swimming pool from the council so everything is ready to proceed. We were very disappointed because when the Minister's officials met the CEO and school principal last week, they had a completely different agenda and wished to discuss another matter which I would like to discuss with the Minister in private. I do not know what is happening on this matter now and I ask the Minister to investigate the situation.

We have all spoken of commuter belts and Killucan is in the Westmeath commuter belt. The national school in the town has acquired a four-acre greenfield site because the existing building is completely inadequate for the expanding number of pupils it faces. Various pieces of land in the area have received planning permission. I know the Minister has had a meeting with the county manager so I ask her to expedite both projects I have mentioned. I acknowledge the amount of money the Minister is already spending.