Nicky McFadden (Fine Gael)

He was. I respected him having to review, and adjust to, his brief. He was landed in the deep end and had to address all of the commitments that had been given prior to the election by his predecessor, Deputy Mary Hanafin. As Senator Fidelma Healy Eames stated, there are a number of national schools, as there are in counties Cavan and in Westmeath, that were promised before the election and it was a difficult position in which the Minister found himself. I am hopeful, because the Minister gave us a good hearing, that in 2009 he will be able to consider the two schools that we spoke to him about that day, and, also Coosan national school.

Athlone Community College is in a very precarious position. Senator Healy Eames referred to schools that are risky from the point of view of health. The school in Athlone was built initially for 500 pupils but now has 1,000. We have acquired the land and I would ask the Minister to consider meeting with me again privately to discuss that.

I welcome the announcement that the Minister will reintroduce the summer works scheme.