Michael D'Arcy (Fine Gael)

Scoil Ghormáin Naofa in Gorey, County Wexford, is a standard two-classroom school built in 1950, similar to many older schools throughout the State. Today there are 128 pupils on the roll, who are largely accommodated in six prefabricated buildings, one of which functions as a disabled toilet. The school has six teachers and two resource teachers. The number in junior infants increased from 15 in 2010 to 22 in 2011 and is expected to increase further, to 26 in 2012, 30 in 2013 and 2014, and 32 in 2015. The cost to the Department of the prefabricated accommodation is in the region of €40,000 per annum.

When the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Ruairí Quinn, was Labour Party spokesman for education, he was blistering in his attacks on the Department for paying out these types of costs. Scoil Ghormáin Naofa is seeking devolved funding for an extension of four classrooms and the refurbishment of the original 1950 two-classroom facility. I understand the building cost per classroom is now €70,000. This is a reasonable request. Members of the community have told me that once this funding is received, they will do whatever is required to ensure a new, modern facility is constructed. They will not return to the Department requesting additional funding. All they are seeking is four times the classroom grant plus the refurbishment cost for the original building. This represents value for money, which is an absolute requirement for any such projects in the current circumstances.

I look forward to the Minister of State's response.