Lorraine Higgins (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for his response in which he mentioned demographics. This school has gone from having 39 pupils in 2000 to 187 pupils 2014 which is a sizeable increase. The building in which pupils are being taught and in which teachers are forced to teach is wholly unsuitable. However, I welcome the fact the project will be progressed into the architectural planning process without delay.It is a good move in the right direction. It is time a review of the five-year construction project is done to allow us to do something constructive for schools, such as Scoil Éanna in Bullaun, Loughrea, which are in a situation that is clearly untenable and unsafe for students and teachers. We must safeguard children's education and if they are going to be taught in places that are wholly unsuitable for their needs, it does not augur well for them on their way to secondary school. I urge the Minister of State, the Minister, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan, and the departmental officials to do everything in their power to expedite the process so that Scoil Éanna can look forward to a new school building in the near future.