Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)

I welcome the Minister of State and thank the Cathaoirleach for allowing me to contribute to this very important Adjournment debate.

I am conscious of the nature of the Minister of State's departmental responsibility. It is important that the construction of a new primary school in Ballygarvan be expedited. The area has been waiting for a new school since the late 1990s. There are many more than 300 pupils in the existing school which operates under very difficult physical conditions. It is due to the perseverance and patience of the teachers, the principal, staff, parents and the board of management that the school has managed to survive this far in such substandard conditions. We have been through this process for a long time in conjunction with the Department of Education and Skills and landowners in the diocese of Cork and Ross. I want the Minister of State to commit to ensuring Ballygarvan national school will be a priority in the Estimates for 2011.

The fact that funding for 2010 was €579 million and funding for next year is €492 million is a worry for the people of Ballygarvan. Political will is required if the new school is to be built. I hope guarantees can be given in this regard in this debate in the House.

I understand issues arose in respect of the previous contractor. The parents and board of management of the school have been very proactive in the process. I seek a commitment to allow the project to go to tender in order that the pupils, staff and principal of the school will have a new school at some time in 2011. It is important there be a commitment in this debate to going to tender and proceeding to construction.

The community has shown the importance of and need for community. It has worked very hard to ensure the project has reached its current level. We must now proceed to the next step. It would be deeply disappointing for all concerned if the project were delayed further. I ask the Department to make the school a priority despite the 33% reduction in the budget allocation for next year. There is an onus on us to protect the students and teachers at the school who cannot continue to work in and be taught in prefabs and old buildings. These buildings are impinging on the play area of the school. The Minister of State, who is responsible for children, knows the importance of looking after the physical well-being of students in addition to their educational needs.

While we face economic challenges, it is important we commit to building a new school for the population of Ballygarvan. A delay will be unacceptable. It is now opportune to facilitate the smooth progression to the next stage, which involves a commitment to build a new school.