Mary Moran (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for facilitating this Adjournment debate.

I had received representations from the school in question in County Louth before the second round of summer works scheme funding was announced. While I welcome the announcement of the funding, particularly for schools in County Louth that have received it, I am disappointed that schools as far down as category 10 that did not receive any. I am particularly disappointed for the school in question which did not receive funding to repair the playground surface and facilities. It is appropriate and timely to discuss the issue as we promote Active School Week. Appropriate and safe playground facilities are vitally important in promoting overall wellness and healthy living. Children need to be able to play and run around during the school day. We encourage this and are trying to reduce childhood obesity by encouraging exercise.

I have seen the state of the play area. There are three playgrounds in the school which sought funding for one of them. When I visited the school in the company of the principal, within three minutes of standing outside a child had fallen badly. The school was built in 1956 and the playground still has the original surface. I understand the economic difficulties and that the most important health and safety concerns must be addressed first in this round of funding. I also understand the perspective of school principals as it takes considerable time and expense to put together the lengthy applications for funding. I appreciate how frustrating it can be to find out later that there was not enough money to cover a particular category and that applications were not being considered. The school applied for emergency works funding in the past but to no avail and the state of the playground continues to deteriorate. All parties involved have acknowledged it must be improved. From speaking to the principal, I know that the Department's engineers have been to the school and agree that it needs to be repaired immediately or replaced. I ask the Minister of State to examine this, particularly during Active School Week. The school was not fortunate in the second round, but perhaps the Minister of State might suggest other funds for which the school might apply.