Robbie Gallagher (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Ba mhaith liom fáilte a chur roimh an Aire Stáit go dtí an Teach seo inniu. The Minister of State is welcome to the House. I thank him for taking time to be here. Ballybay community college applied for an extension to its school facilities in 2015. The extension incorporated two classrooms, a science room and a science preparation area. The school has been waiting patiently for some years for some good news from the Department. Along with the local councillor for the area, the current cathaoirleach of Monaghan County Council, Seamus Coyle, I have raised this issue on numerous occasions, most recently three weeks ago, with the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy McHugh. Yesterday, I requested that a Commencement debate on the matter be arranged for this afternoon and I am pleased it is going ahead.

Ballybay community college is a successful school with more than 338 students. The numbers, thankfully, are increasing year on year. The school is located in the centre of County Monaghan and caters for a wide catchment area. The school has a great record on the academic front and on the sporting field. Last year the school won an all-Ireland football championship title for post-primary schools. The school is very successful and is blessed with excellent, dedicated and hard-working teachers under the guidance of principal, Moyah Lynch, and deputy principal, Conall Ó Grianna. The school is progressing at a great rate.

I understand the Minister of State may have some good news for us this afternoon. I believe the Department was in contact with the school yesterday evening and perhaps again this morning. I eagerly look forward to the response of the Minister of State, Deputy Halligan, in the Chamber this afternoon.