Frances Fitzgerald (Fine Gael)

I thank the Cathaoirleach for giving me the opportunity to raise this issue. I ask the Minister for Education and Science to clarify the situation regarding the playing field beside the church which was previously used by Scoil Chrónáin in Rathcoole, County Dublin. It cannot be utilised currently owing to the state in which it has been left following upgrade works to the N7. Furthermore, I ask the Minister to confirm whether her Department owns this field and, if so, whether she has any intention of selling it for development, and what, as far as the Department is aware, is the current status of this field and its ownership. I am concerned by the way the school and its community have been left with a cloud of confusion and uncertainty with regard to the future of the playing field and school facility.

The matter seems quite simple at first. There is a field located near the school, which is used by the school for student recreation. The field then became inaccessible owing to the need to upgrade the N7. However, the school's board of management was left in no doubt by the council that the field would be restored to its original state following the conclusion of the upgrade works. Yet, at this stage, the school has been unable to use the playing field for over four years. Its management has been left in a situation where it has had to pursue endlessly the council and the Department of Education and Science on this matter. The people concerned are stressed and concerned about the impact on the school and the children. I ask the Minister to intervene and clarify the matter. Put simply, without access to this area, the school must continue to incur significant costs, both financial and timewise, in trying to arrange for students to be transported to other facilities.

The situation could also affect the number of children the school can enrol in future owing to the limited recreation space without the use of this field. I ask the Minister to clarify the ownership of this area. If the Department owns it, is it in a position to give an undertaking that it will not be sold for development and will be available to Scoil Chrónáin in future? The school has been a wonderful educational amenity to the community of Rathcoole. The Department should support its endeavours to provide comprehensive and holistic educational facilities, including the use of this playing field once more. This simple matter is of great concern to the school in question and its board of management.