Paudie Coffey (Fine Gael)

I thank the Cathaoirleach and welcome the Minister of State to the House to discuss this important matter. As her background is in education, she will be only too aware of the importance of a comfortable physical environment for the teaching of children in schools.

I raise this matter on behalf of all the stakeholders involved in Portlaw national school, County Waterford, including the pupils, staff, parents' council, board of management and patron. The school is of medium size, is attended by almost 240 students and has 14 teaching staff, as well as ancillary staff. Historically, there used to be both a boys' national school and a girls' school run by the Sisters of Mercy at this location. While I publicly acknowledge the enormous contribution to education of the Sisters of Mercy, some years ago the girls' school closed and the schools were amalgamated. The boys' national school was extended and I acknowledge the investment by the Government in various extensions to that school over the years. The site of the closed girls' national school lies directly adjacent to the existing school, is available for an extension and everything is ready to go. Unfortunately, the position to date is that three prefabs operate on the school site, one of which is a special unit for the hearing impaired. Another very important point in today's climate is that such a large school lacks a general purpose hall for the congregation of pupils, either for sport or for general events. This is an important facility for any school and should be provided by the State.

My information is that the application for a new extension to the school goes back as far as 2002. Although many surveys have been conducted and the relevant information has been provided, the project appears to have met a barrier at this point because no clear direction is being given by departmental officials. I understand the preferred option is the renovation of the old girls' school. However, many conservation issues arise in that regard because it is on the Minister's list at present and probably will be protected in the future. Moreover, it is not the cheapest solution to the provision of an extension and this is where confusion has arisen. I am aware the board of management has sought numerous opportunities to meet departmental officials to try to make progress on the project but unfortunately they are not getting the requisite co-operation.

The population projections for this area and this town are increasing continually, which is acknowledged in the various county development plans and in the town's local area plan. Consequently, there will be an even greater need in the future for a proper, permanent school structure in this town. I am hopeful the Minister of State may have some good news that may further this project. I understand this school, which has waited for so many years, already is in the Department's priority one band. For that reason, I hope to get good news from the Minister of State and that the school eventually can see the commencement of its new extension, which would provide a good, permanent and comfortable physical environment for pupils and staff and would stimulate the local economy and create employment.