Mary Moran (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills, Deputy Cannon, for coming to the House to take this Adjournment matter.

I received representations from the principal of the school in Dundalk last February regarding security issues and ongoing anti-social behaviour on school grounds. The school applied for summer works funding and was unsuccessful in both funding rounds. I appreciate that schools with the most need and the most pressing issues were allocated funding.

Many primary and post-primary schools from County Louth were successful, which I welcome. This school, however, has major problems. It asked for external security lighting and CCTV installation. The consulting engineer for the application advised that it be listed under category three electrical works but the Department advised the school that its application would in fact be listed under category ten for consideration. Those of us who represented schools in applying for summer funding works were consistently told that in the first round it was category one or category two but if one was in category ten the chances of getting any of this funding were slim. I am not aware of any who got it.

The school has been plagued with break-ins and anti-social behaviour over the past year. It has lost over €60,000 in stolen or damaged equipment. The principal has been routinely called to the school outside school hours to deal with the ongoing anti-social behaviour. It is fortunate to have such a good principal who goes there straightaway when he gets the call and is frequently on-site after school hours.

The insurer for the school site insists that further measures be taken to improve the security and lighting on the campus but the school is in negotiations with the insurance company to pay for the damaged and stolen goods. In February the principal had to make an executive decision to reorder and replace equipment at a cost of over €40,000 to the school so that the students would not lose out due to the action of others. It is a Catch-22 situation because the insurance company says the school needs to put in more money or security equipment but it cannot get the equipment.

The Government had a fantastic idea to replace prefabs with buildings in schools. As a teacher I could see how much money was being wasted on renting prefabs. If we invest in our schools and put money into situations like this we will save money in the long run. Many classes were left without equipment that they needed for courses for many days. This is an emergency because if equipment is stolen one cannot run the class and should be entitled to emergency funding. Special iMac computers were stolen and the pre-leaving certificate students need that hard disc on the machines for assessment for their final year exams. This is a very serious matter. The students are suffering.

The school is known for being very innovative and offering a very high standard of education. I was delighted that the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Quinn, accepted my invitation to visit the school during the year because I was so impressed by the school's activities. He was equally impressed. It relies on a range of equipment to cater for a range of courses. The school is working very closely with the gardaí in the area but they also insist that security works be carried out. I appreciate that resources are limited but the school has engaged proactively on this and does need further assistance as a matter of urgency.