Emer Currie (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We have been informed today about the provision of an additional €4 billion, which brings to €6 billion the amount providing in Supplementary Estimates this year. This is obviously to be welcomed. I just want to highlight the €850 million that has been ring-fenced for the Department of Education's school building programme. It would be beneficial for us to have a debate or a chance to put questions to the Minister for Education about the programme. I have many schools sitting on applications and waiting to hear about additional accommodation, emergency works, summer works or new school buildings. There is a school called Éiriu Community College in Ongar that has been waiting for two or three years to find out about its permanent site. In Tyrrelstown we are in need of a new secondary school. In Castleknock there are several special classes where the schools have wanted bricks and a proper extension. They are being given modular special classes. If a school is looking for an extension, if we are working with the school, that should be our first choice. I refer to St. Francis Xavier's school in Roselawn, 37% of the roof of which is waterlogged. The school has had a submission in since January about this, but there has been no movement. It is really important that we have an opportunity to put these questions to the Minister and get essential updates for the relevant communities.