Manus Boyle (Fine Gael)

I thank everyone who was involved today. It has been an historic day, and a great day to be here.

I want to raise the issue of Meentinadea National School. It is a lovely, hard-working school, just off the main Ardaghey to Ardara road. The Cathaoirleach probably knows it. He has probably passed it once or twice. Meentinadea has been the cornerstone of Irish education in the parish of Ardara for over 90 years. It was built in 1932 to replace the old school. In fact, my father and his siblings attended the school. It has served generations of families in the rural Gaeltacht community, keeping the Irish language alive. Despite a proud history of cultural significance, it was excluded from DEIS, even though other schools in the area qualify. A theme of DEIS is to target disadvantaged areas, and Meentinadea National School should definitely fit the bill in that regard. The Department needs to review the criteria and the way the rules are applied. I ask the Minister to take an urgent look at this to ensure the system is fair. Hopefully, Meentinadea can be added to the DEIS plan moving forward. It is a really good, hard-working school. Down through 90 years, so many people have passed through its doors. The Irish language has been kept alive in the parish of Ardara and the surrounding areas. Will the Leader ask the Minister to look at Meentinadea National School? There is a really proud tradition of the Irish language there. It deserves the DEIS plan.