Pearse Doherty (Sinn Fein)

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Seanadóir Ó Domhnaill as ucht a chuid ama a roinnt liom. I appreciate the opportunity to share time with Senator Ó Domhnaill and the arrangement shows the importance of this issue in the community. I outline my interest in this matter. I am a former student of Bunbeg national school. My sister teaches in the school and come September it will be the school that my eldest son will attend. I know this school very well. My uncle is a former head master and a cousin of mine teaches there. As a former pupil, I recognise the difficulties and the situation in which the school finds itself. Senator Ó Domhnaill, some other elected representatives from the area and I have attended meetings in the school. It is possible to see the unsafe nature of the school environment. Items are stocked in areas, basically because of a lack of space. An electrical contractor's report indicates the school does not have trip switches and smoke alarms, a very serious issues in today's environment given there are in excess of 100 pupils attending classes.

This is a matter of fairness for those pupils such that they can be given the best space available to absorb the curriculum and for the teachers to be given the space necessary to teach the curriculum. As Senator Ó Domhnaill has remarked, there are two questions at issue. First, the 30-day rule in the technical guidance notes should not apply in this matter. At this stage, the 30 days is up. We have no wish for a situation whereby the Minister will inform the school that it must re-cost the plan because of some technicality. I understand this is the third time an application has been made. I am aware from speaking to Department officials that the application is valid. All i's have be dotted and all t's crossed and we cannot allow the rules to delay it further. We seek a guarantee that this will not become an issue. I am aware from speaking to officials this will not be an issue.

Second, the school has sought this extension for the past ten years. There are competitive prices and the works are necessary. I believe they will take place. Senator Ó Domhnaill and other elected representatives believe they will take place. I recognise there has been a substantial cut in the primary school building allocation this year but this school is ready to proceed. We can get people back to work by building the school and this is a very important matter in the heart of the Gaeltacht area of Gaoth Dobhair. I would appreciate if the Minister of State could shed some light on this matter, confirm that the technicality of 30 days will not be used as a blocking mechanism and that in the coming weeks, if not days, the Minister will make an announcement to allow this school to go to tender, as I am led to believe.