Fidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael)

I thank Senator Ó Clochartaigh for sharing time with me. What has happened with Gaelscoil Mhic Amhlaigh is a mystery. The Department in its five-year plan has given approval for what appears to be a new gaelscoil called Galway city west. Nobody knows the location, no patron has yet been nominated and there appears to be no evidence that the school is needed. However, Gaelscoil Mhic Amhlaigh, with more than 450 pupils, has a site and space available since 1998. The Department of Education and Skills has approved the plans and full planning permission is in place since 2011. Can the Minister of State justify why that school is not getting its eight prefabs when the Department is planning to put a new school in an area where there is no case for one? I have contacted the Department and it cannot substantiate its case. The officials said something about social protection certificates or evidence from the Department of Social Protection, but they have not supplied it. There are five Irish schools west of the city: Boleybeg, Saint Ignatius College, Bearna, Scoil Fhursa and Gaelscoil Mhic Amhlaigh. I have visited those schools and there is space in some of them. Why build a new school that will cost millions? I am keen to hear the answer to that question.