Paschal Donohoe (Fine Gael)

I welcome the Minister of State to the House. This matter, which is of great importance to a part of my constituency, concerns the difficulties faced by a school in the North Wall area that was due to be supported by the Dublin Docklands Development Authority. St. Laurence O'Toole primary school is in the heart of a community which has experienced major difficulties in recent years concerning drugs, deprivation and unemployment. Despite the problems it has faced, the community has done a fantastic job of looking after itself and its children in the face of great difficulty. The school in question reflects so much of the good work and action that has taken place there. It is located in an area that is subject to ferocious criminal, anti-social behaviour and, as a result, it is the object of attention by members of the Garda Síochána, including community gardaí. It is apparent that the school needs to be redesigned and redeveloped. It requires facilities befitting a school facing such difficulties, and those facilities are merited by the teachers and pupils involved.

Much of the redevelopment work was to have been funded by the Dublin Docklands Development Authority as part of its commitment to support local communities. Due to the difficulties the authority is facing, however, it now appears that there is a question mark over that guarantee of €6 million for the school.

I am raising this matter because it is so important to find a way of supporting this school to provide the necessary facilities. The school is facing awful difficulties but is doing a good job none the less in dealing with the current situation. I would appreciate the Minister of State's clarification on two points. First, at what stage are the discussions between the Department and this school concerning the plans for its redesign? Second, in light of the announcement by the Dublin Docklands Development Authority, can the Minister of State say what can be done to provide funding for this school, thus ensuring that when a design plan is agreed, there will be sufficient funding to implement it?