Brian Ó Domhnaill (Fianna Fail)

I am glad to have the opportunity to refer to a number of educational projects in my area that are being considered by the Department at present. Each board of management and parent group is anxiously awaiting a positive decision thereon.

There was a very interesting debate on education this evening. I particularly welcomed the comments by the Minister to the effect that he intends to reintroduce the summer works scheme in 2009. This will be greatly welcomed by many school authorities throughout the country.

I very much welcome the fact that 25 school projects were approved nationally last week, one of which was Dooish national school in my constituency, Donegal South-West. Other schools in the constituency are being considered by the Department.

The first of the schools to which I want to refer is Scoil Chonaill Naofa, An Bun Beag. Its board of management applied to upgrade the electrical works and for the provision of additional accommodation at the school in 1998. The proposal is for six full-size classrooms plus ancillary accommodation. Planning permission for the project has been approved. On 25 April 2006, the then Minister for Education and Science approved the project to proceed to tender and construction. However, the project has not yet progressed past this stage. The school has obtained an electrical report from a local contractor which outlines that the electrical works at the school are very dangerous and totally unsatisfactory. The board of management, pupils and their parents want the project to proceed. They want formal approval from the Minister to allow it because the current conditions are unsafe. The board conveyed this view directly to the Minister and Department. I must impress upon the Minister the need to have the project approved.

Scoil Mhuire national school, Creeslough, which is also in my constituency, has made an application for capital funding towards the provision of additional accommodation and the upgrading of the current accommodation because it is expected the pupil numbers at the school will rise. An assessment of projected enrolment trends, demographic trends and housing developments in the area was carried out by the Department and this information is now available. The assessment work, which has now been finalised, has given the Department figures on future pupil numbers and so on. Pupils are currently in substandard accommodation so it is another project I hope can be progressed in the near future.

The third project is one I raised in the House in March last with Senator Doherty, namely, the physical education hall project at Pobal Scoil Gaoth Dobhair. This is urgently needed for the physical activity which is important for the progression and development of pupils. The school was constructed in 1982 without a sports hall. Decisions were made in June 2006 and May 2007 and confirmation was given by the Minister for Education and Science to allow the construction of the PE hall to proceed. What is sought at this stage is that the Minister would allow this project to progress. It is one of very few second level schools in the country without a gymnasium for indoor sports activities.

Finally, I wish to refer to the national school in my home village of Gortahork. The Office of Public Works has identified a site in agreement with the board of management. The site is suitable and this has been conveyed to the Department of Education and Science. The board of management is awaiting approval from the Department towards the acquisition of the site and I call for that to happen.

I look forward to the Minister of State's response in regard to these projects. While I fully appreciate there are financial constraints, these projects are important to the children, parents and communities of Donegal South-West. I hope the Minister of State will have good news for us this evening.