Lorraine Higgins (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his response. Contrary to what he said, there is significant demographic growth in this area with an increase in the school’s enrolment from 39 pupils in 2000 to 187 pupils in 2013. I am critical of the Department's five-year construction programme and that there should be some degree of discretion to add schools to the list, especially in light of the situation in which Scoil Naomh Éanna finds itself.

It is critical the school's problems are addressed sooner rather than later. We cannot sit on our hands any longer. In 2007, the school’s situation was deemed to be a matter of urgency and should be addressed with funding put in place for a school building to be developed.

Unfortunately this has not happened, and seven years later matters are not improving but getting worse. This relates to the constituency of the Minister of State and he knows the area. We cannot allow bureaucracy to get in the way or slow down what is happening. We need to cut through the red tape and deliver a school for the people of Bullaun because it is the least they deserve.