There is a greater issue than the one I am raising today and it was mentioned by Senator Glynn and me on the Order of Business this morning, namely, the apparent shortage of primary school places in developing areas. I am sure the Minister of State knows that Lucan is the fastest growing area in the country, according to Central Statistics Office figures. There is a crisis in terms of the lack of school places for children, particularly at primary school level, which may affect the number of secondary school places in the future, if it has not already done so.

I have met parents who have had to bring their children to primary schools outside Lucan because they could not get school places in the area. I have also heard of many other such cases from friends and relatives of those affected. Many parents have contacted me because they are concerned that when they apply for school places for their children next year or in subsequent years, they will not get a place in Lucan. Many of the children involved are due to start school next year. I have heard stories about parents who fear they will have to keep their children at home until they are five or six years of age.

I made inquiries about this matter with the majority of schools in Lucan because I wanted to know the extent of the problem. I found that large numbers of children from Lucan were being turned away from local schools which are trying their best but they are struggling in terms of the provision of school places. Many school principals are distressed because they must turn children away. The schools confirmed to me that they were turning away children in their catchment areas. They are asking children to defer their education until they are older or look elsewhere. Children have not had any success to date in finding a school place in Lucan.

Bad planning is a major cause of this problem. However, it is not the fault only of the local authorities which must provide land for housing. They should do what they have done in Adamstown where housing is developed in conjunction with the provision of permanent school buildings. It should be mandatory to provide proper school accommodation. The Department of Education and Science is ultimately responsible. Children have a right to education which is enshrined in the Constitution. Every child should have a school place, preferably in the area in which he or she lives given the transport problems, particularly in the Dublin area. Planning is an issue because the Department and the local authorities did not anticipate the number of families with children of school going age who would move to new private estates and council housing in Lucan. Part of the problem is the length of time it takes to buy a house. The situation is particularly bad for the large number of non-nationals living in Lucan.

I call on the Minister and the Department to respond to the crisis I have identified. Lucan should be treated as an emergency area. Emergency prefabricated accommodation should be provided for new and established schools which have requested it. I know many schools have requested additional accommodation, including Griffeen Valley Educate Together national school. The Department should acquire the reserved sites for schools as soon as possible and start building permanent school buildings. A lot can be done now. Emergency prefabricated buildings must be provided. If they are provided this September on the reserved site for Griffeen Valley Educate Together national school, it will be able to take in two new junior infant classes. If it does not happen, the people concerned may not have anywhere else to go. This issue requires an emergency response.