Frances Fitzgerald (Fine Gael)

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Haughey, to the House. I thank him for the opportunity to raise the need for the Minister for Education and Science to outline what progress has been made on the acquisition of sites required by St. Andrew's primary school and Esker Educate Together primary school in Lucan. I would also like the Minister of State to update the House on the progress that has been made between the Department of Education and Science and the Office of Public Works in this regard.

Both of these schools have been waiting a long time for sites to be provided by the Department. Great credit is due to the teachers and the principals for continuing to work in what have been very difficult circumstances. For example, St. Andrew's school, which I visited last week, has 235 children in attendance who have been taught in very overcrowded and cold classrooms. The principal, teachers and staff are doing their very best to assist students in being educated but the situation is difficult for all involved.

Esker Educate Together school opened its doors more recently. A serious shortage of places in west Dublin has led to the recognition of an Educate Together school at Esker in south Lucan to cater for 170 children, which is very important. Educate Together is assisting the Department in meeting the education needs of Lucan. There is an obligation on the Department to recognise the work of Educate Together and to help it get the necessary site for the school to grow and develop fully.

I know the Department has been in discussions with the Office of Public Works and South Dublin County Council in regard to finding sites for these two schools. I look forward to the Minister of State's response on whatever progress has been made in this regard.