Joe O'Toole (Independent)

I thank the Minster of State for his reply and appreciate what he said. I wish to make two points following his reply which he might also convey to the Minister. He said it was agreed that accommodation should be provided for Drumclough national school, of which the school authorities have been advised. I am trying to ascertain for them what will happen next in the process and when it will happen. The Minister of State does not have the answer to that question and I do not blame him for that, but the answer should be known.

What I find depressing about this process is the time wasted. I hate the waste of parliamentary time, whether in regard to parliamentary questions in the other House or Adjournment matters in this House. The official with whom I dealt in the building section of the Department — whom I will not embarrass by revealing the individual's name — asked why, if I was so concerned, I would not raise this matter as an Adjournment item. We are wasting our time like this.

The principal of Rahan national school asked me where is the dignity for the pupils progressing through a lovely rural location being taught in tight cramped substandard accommodation. What the Minister of State has told me in good faith is that the next step for these schools is the appointment of a design team and that this will be considered as the school building programme is rolled over the coming months. That is stated as if this process started today, but it went on all last year and the year prior to that. The applications have been agreed and the next step is for them to be considered as the school building programme is rolled out. There is no honesty in this system. The school authorities should be told that the additional accommodation will not be provided or it will be provided next year, in six months or is under examination. A major operation is taking place in this respect and the Minister of State, myself and the people in the House tonight are being sucked into part of it in a time-wasting project. I do not understand it. It is not an efficient business model by which to operate and it is utterly depressing.