Brendan Ryan (Labour)

I want to address an issue which is causing grave concern to the parents, staff, teachers and, most importantly, pupils of St. Oliver Plunkett national school, Malahide. A new school building is badly needed because it is now 15 years since the school applied for permanent accommodation. In 1998 it was told a new building was needed. In 1999 it was directed to rent portacabins. Because it was believed they would only be used for a short duration, it was advised to select the cheapest option available. It now operates out of 12 prefabs, one of which is a support room. Some 31% of the pupils are being taught in this unsuitable accommodation.

In April or May 2009 the school was informed that it was to be part of a national survey of schools with portacabins to ascertain how money could be saved on such rents. This was a worthwhile and commendable exercise. When the survey team came on site in June, its only interest in discussions with the principal was in rents and rental agreements. The principal attempted to draw attention to the poor condition of the prefab units but the team showed no interest. On 9 December 2009 the school was informed of the Department's intention to purchase the prefabs. Given the timing of this communication just before Christmas and the need to schedule board of management meetings, there was no opportunity to advise against this course of action owing to the poor condition of the units before a further communication in January informed the school that the purchase had been completed. This specific decision to purchase them, which presumably was done in an effort to save money on rent, was ill-judged. Every such decision should be based on a school's individual merits and made in consultation with management rather than as part of a blanket approach.

The key issue for me is ensuring the Department's poor decision does not prevent the school from being given the priority it deserves in regard to the provision of permanent replacement structures. The prefabs are in a disgraceful condition. The walls are damp and mouldy and the bathrooms lack privacy. There is limited heat and ventilation. I understand the rate of absenteeism due to illness is higher among children taught in the prefabs than in the permanent buildings. There is insufficient space available for pupils and teachers and I have heard reports of rodent problems. Parents, rightly, are demanding action from the Minister for Education and Science and his officials on this matter because they expect earlier promises to be met. I am raising this matter in the Seanad on their behalf because their children deserve better. Nothing short of a replacement structure in this year's schools building programme will suffice. I look forward to a positive and specific response to my concerns