Maria Corrigan (Fianna Fail)

I thank the Minister of State, whom I understand is here on behalf of the Minister for Education and Science. However, the reply could have been about any proposal or school in the country. A specific proposal regarding the premises on Sydenham Road has been forwarded to the Department of Education and Science. If the offer is not taken up within the next 12 months, the premises will no longer be available because the VEC will be obliged to offer it to others. It has been empty for the last 18 months, but it cannot remain empty in the hope this proposal will be acted upon.

Children are in sixth class in local gaelscoileanna. They have done wonderfully in their education through Irish. It would be a missed opportunity for them and us if they were not allowed to continue their education through the language. This area of south Dublin has expanded rapidly in recent years. The children concerned want to complete their second level education through Irish, from which they will benefit, as will we as a community. I would appreciate it if the Minister of State passed on these sentiments and asked whether there was any specific information available on the Sydenham Road proposal.