Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)

Back to basics. I ask the Leader to consider arranging a debate with the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources. I commend the Minister, Deputy Ryan, on the excellent success of the home energy scheme. Up to the end of June, approximately €16 million had been allocated under the scheme in respect of approximately 12,000 houses. I encourage people to avail of this wonderful scheme, which has a budget of €50 million. I suggest that we could discuss this self-financing Government initiative with the Minister. As many jobs have been created under the scheme, it can be said to be responsible for additional VAT and PRSI returns. It also leads to productive and worthwhile savings in oil. The Minister and his colleague, the Minister for Education and Science, should examine whether the scheme can be extended to this country's primary and secondary schools. It is unacceptable, in light of the advent of solar panels and other means of heating water, that 80% of primary schools and 52% of secondary schools do not have hot water. It is vital that we have hot water in every school, especially in the context of the swine flu problem. That should be a pretty basic requirement in 2009. The Minister, Deputy Batt O'Keeffe, has introduced a useful water harvesting scheme in our schools. His efforts should be combined with those of his colleague, the Minister, Deputy Ryan, so further initiatives can be introduced in these difficult times. When the going gets tough, the tough get going and come up with initiatives and ideas. I ask the Leader to organise a discussion on this matter with the Minister, Deputy Ryan, at an early stage. It would be worthwhile and would benefit our schools.