Seán Kyne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire. I acknowledge and congratulate the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and, more importantly, the Minister for Education, on the work that has been done on the challenges that Covid-19 has presented in our schools over the past number of months. I also acknowledge and congratulate the Department of Education on the provision of school accommodation in the general Galway area over the past ten years. We have a proud record in respect of schools such as Merlin College, Merlin Woods Primary School, Gaelscoil de hÍde, Coláiste na Coiribe, Gaelscoil Mhic Amhlaigh and the new schools in Clifden, Oughterard, Na Forbacha, Claregalway and Lackagh. There has been considerable investment over the past ten years.

There are a number of schools that still have challenges. Scoil Chaitríona, Renmore, has been seeking a new school building for a number of years to no avail. It is a co-educational primary school divided into junior primary and senior primary schools, taking in pupils from a large area to the east of Galway city. The present school buildings were opened in the early 1970s and approach being 50 years old. They are well past their sell-by date and urgently need replacing. The school caters for almost 800 pupils and approximately 70 staff. The present building is single storey with an unusual design where many classroom doors open directly onto a school yard area. That poses issues regarding heat retention, security of the building when the school is off, movement of children during the day etc. Any 50-year-old building has issues but our school buildings should reflect the pride and importance that we place on the next generation and the buildings in Renmore do not do that.

It is not for the want of trying on behalf of the staff, board of management, parents, school community and all politicians in the constituency. I welcome Senator Crowe here today in that regard. They have campaigned long and hard for what they need and deserve, but progress is stubbornly slow. The crunch issue seems to be that the available site may be too small. At present, the school is a single-storey building and caters for 800 pupils. A new school, most like a two-storey building, would take up a smaller footprint. There may be logistical issues in terms of the construction but I am sure they could easily be dealt with. The availability of green space is not an issue. The school is located immediately adjacent to a large green area owned and maintained by Galway City Council. The school has been assured by the council that an agreement can be put in place allowing access to this green space during school hours.

This is a long-running saga which needs a solution. Children who started in the junior school have moved through the system and still no progress has been made. Pupils everywhere deserve the best facilities to get the best start in life. Staff also deserve a decent place of work. As we are raising this matter in the Seanad, I note that Máire Geoghegan-Quinn, a former Senator, was a part of the original staff in the school when it was founded, although she certainly has since gone on to greater things. That goes to show a connection with this House and the length of time since that school was built.

I visited the school and met the then principal and chairperson of the board of management. Their commitment to their school and pupils is 100% and they deserve better facilities in return.

I welcome the fact that the senior Minister has come into the House. I acknowledge that. I understand that she has organised a meeting with all Oireachtas Members and I look forward to that. I originally put down this Commencement matter last Friday and was not aware that a meeting was in the offing. I certainly welcome that and look forward to working with the Minister and all Members of the Oireachtas to ensure that we get progress on Scoil Chaitríona, Renmore.