Dominic Hannigan (Labour)

I welcome the Minister of State. I am pleased he is taking this Adjournment debate because he has an interest in and knowledge of primary schooling in County Meath.

The population of County Meath has grown significantly in the past 15 years and has experienced an increase of approximately 200%. This has meant there have been many requirements for new school places throughout the county. Many members will be familiar with the position of towns such as Laytown where a couple of years ago students could not access school places. I wish to discuss in this debate the position of a school in Johnstown, just outside Navan town, which has been brought to my attention by the Labour Party's local councillor, Jenny McHugh. At present, 500 students attend school in a leased building because the Department has not procured a new school for the children. Moreover, the leased building leaves much to be desired. For instance, there is very little car parking for parents who drop off children and it has no green area for the children to play in during breaks, which clearly is not satisfactory in this day and age. The school is spread over three floors and that is not very comfortable for younger children. According to Councillor McHugh, the Department is spending up to €200,000 per annum on refurbishing this old Dickensian-style building. This constitutes a clear waste of money when one considers that a new school would not incur such refurbishment costs.

There is a proposal to build a new school and a site of four acres has been identified in Johnstown. Little progress has been made between the Department and the local authority. The Minister of State should comment on the current state of play. Is the Department in consultation with Meath County Council or the owner of the four acres? It is clear this is costing everyone money in the long run and is unsustainable. Moreover, in respect of social cost benefit, it does not wash its face and the new school should be provided now.

Will the Minister of State comment on the matter? I attended school in Cushenstown, not far from there, and it is the same school the Minister of State's own father attended back in the 1930s. The Minister of State is probably familiar with the school because he takes a great interest in the area. I would appreciate his comments on this issue and I certainly will revert to Councillor McHugh. If there is anything that can be done locally, it certainly will be done and we will work with the Department to make progress on this issue.