David Cullinane (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

In January 2003 Gaelscoil Philib Barún moved to the incomplete site. In the same year, the number of students in the school doubled. Since 2003, pupils have been in prefabs. That factor means the school should receive the appropriate funding and be in the capital programme. That is the Minister's call, not mine, and he must address that with the students and board of management. It is amazing that the school has jumped through every hoop and over every hurdle. The design team is in place and stage 1 is complete. This process may well end up being completed, with the design and planning completed, but the funding will not be available even though the school has increased in size to a massive extent.

The Minister of State referred to demographics. The town of Tramore will come into the new metropolitan area of Waterford city under the new local government structures. It makes perfect sense for the Minister of State to ensure the school is properly built so that it can cater for the growing needs of the people of Tramore. I must impress upon the Minister of State that the school must be built for the sake of the students, who have been taught in prefabs for far too long. It is not good enough. I ask the Minister of State to ask the senior Minister to reconsider and ensure capital funding is provided as quickly as possible.