Fidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael)
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I welcome the Minister of State to the House. I was hoping the Minister for Education would be able to be here, but I know he has been detained for the sake of the Magdalen apology in the Dáil.

The story I will bring to the attention of the Minister of State is one I expect he will hear a lot more about and I believe it is a national story. It is a national disgrace to leave the children and the teachers of Gaelscoil de hÍde in Oranmore in their school in its current condition. I make the case that the building project for Gaelscoil de hÍde, a school on the capital building programme for 2015-16, should be expedited and brought forward. The school is experiencing chronic over-crowding and this poses serious risks to children in terms of their education and health, and they are losing class and teaching time.

The demographics of the school are as follows. There are 292 children and 11 teachers on a site of less than half an acre. Most of us have half an acre of a site, but there are almost 300 children and teachers on this particular half an acre. When the children want to go to the toilet, they must put on their caps and coats. There is no circulation space or hallways in the school. These children are losing out in every way. The risks are increasing for the school and the Department and next September, the school is due to admit another 81 children. No gaelscoil spaces exist in the locality for some and it is unlikely there will be space for any new families as there is no other gaelscoil capacity in the local area.

There is no room for site expansion after 2014, which is the reason I make the case the building project for this school should be brought forward on the capital programme for 2013-14. At the latest, building should begin on the project in January 2014, or otherwise September 2014 when the rental of another interim site will be required. That rental will be a waste of public moneys and is a strong reason to bring forward the works for this school on the capital programme. The risk is that as well as the current ¤200,000 rent per annum, a unnecessary extra ¤1.2 million will probably have to be spent or "wasted" on a new temporary site in 2014. In times of austerity, that is a big waste of money. It would be unwise to pay out this money and far better to spend it on the new school, which I stress is on the current capital programme. All I am asking is that the project be brought forward.

The Minister of State will appreciate that the time spent in school is a serious concern for the infant year in education. These children are losing two and a half hours per week or half an hour a day. This is against Department of Education and Skills guidelines. Why is this happening? They are getting full tuition time, but their yard breaks are curtailed. Infants now get only ten minutes per day instead of 40 minutes per day. Breaks are staggered for all other pupils, but that does not allow for the full time for infant breaks. Therefore, these children lose two and a half hours per week of play. We all know play is extremely important for learning, for the development of the brain, for socialisation and for the prevention of obesity. These children are being deprived in this regard.

I checked the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and can verify that play has been enshrined as a childhood right within it since 1989. Chronic play deprivation, particularly during the period between birth and seven years, has been linked to impaired brain development, lack of social skills, depression and aggression. Having been an infant teacher myself, I assure the Minister of State that aggression is a strong likelihood when children do not get enough time at play and enough fresh air. The risk is that school play time will continue to be denied to these children.

The current school is on a half acre site, with only 29% of recommended classroom and circulation space. Therefore, pupils and teachers suffer a loss of up to 70% of space. Four pupils have serious, unusual medical conditions and the school has no medical room to act as a holding centre for these pupils. There is no car-parking space on site and the road outside the school is a narrow country road. There are severe health and safety risks and one can only imagine what would happen if, God forbid, there was an outbreak of meningitis. It would run through the school because of the cramped physical conditions, with less than 70% of the recommended space. On public health grounds, I would be fearful of an epidemic in the school.

I have not touched on the issue of traffic on the narrow, bog road on which the gaelscoil is situated. I know the Minister wanted to hear this motion but is unable to be here. I urge him to look seriously at expediting the case of Gaelscoil de hÍde. We now have the signed agreement on the site and have outline planning permission for the new school as of yesterday. I urge the Minister to bring the project for the school forward from the 2015-16 programme and start it in January 2014 at the latest, so that the children can move into their new school in September 2014, saving the State over ¤1 million. This will improve the quality of education for the children, save gaelscoil education for local children and provide a healthier and safer place for them. I have not even touched on the risks to the teachers.

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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Before I call the Minister of State, I welcome to the Visitors Gallery Senator Eamonn Coghlan and his party. I notice that he is accompanied by Mr. Des McCormack and Mr. Ronnie Delany. I do not recognise anybody else. They are all very welcome.

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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I also welcome Mr. Ronnie Delany who was and still is one of my heroes. I welcome Senator Eamonn Coghlan, too.

Ta mé ag glacadh an díospóireacht seo thar ceann an Aire Oideachais agus Scileanna. Mar a dúirt an Seanadóir, tá an tAire sa Dáil faoi láthair. Glacaim leis go bhfuil an díospóireacht seo an-tábhachtach don Seanadóir Healy Eames, a d'ardaigh ceist Gaelscoil de hÍde in Uarán Mór. B'fhéidir go dtuigeann an Seanadóir cé chomh práinneach is atá an scéal ó thaobh an méid daoine óga atá ag teacht ar an saol faoi láthair. Total enrolment in primary and post-primary schools is expected to grow by níos mó ná 70,000 by 2018 - níos mó ná 45,000 ag an bunleibhéal agus 25,000 at post-primary level. Leanfaidh an fás seo ar aghaidh go dtí 2024 ar a laghad at post-primary level. Recent birth rate data published by the Central Statistics Office show that almost 20,000 births were registered in the first quarter of 2011. Is é seo an méid breitheanna is mó riamh ó thosnaíomar ag comhaireamh na figiúirí sa bhliain 1960. The birth data also show that 19,313 births were registered in the first quarter of 2012. This indicates a continuation of the high birth rates experienced in recent years. In the light of such recent population growth, we will have a much increased enrolment at all levels of education. This is expected to continue in the medium term. It is vital that there is sufficient school accommodation to cope with this increase, as the Senator pointed out.

In order to meet the needs of our growing population of schoolchildren, the Department of Education and Skills must establish new schools, as well as extending or replacing existing schools in áiteanna ina bhfuil an daonra ag fás, ach go háirithe. The delivery of these schools, together with extension projects to meet future demand, will be the main focus of the budget of the Department in the coming years. The five year plan the Minister announced in March 2012 outlines the major school projects planned to proceed to construction over the duration of the plan. This represents a major advance in how the school building programme is publicised. It provides certainty for patrons and school communities, including those at Gaelscoil de hÍde, that the Department is in a position to progress. The schools included in the five year plan know when their projects will proceed to construction. This will facilitate schools in planning to meet the educational needs of children in their areas. I gcás Gaelscoil de hÍde, tá sé pleanáilte go mbeidh an scoil nua á thógáil idir 2015 agus 2016.

The Senator will appreciate that the scheduling of schools within the plan takes into account the funding available, the progression of other major projects required to meet significant demographic needs, the stage of progression reached by individual projects in the architectural design process, the availability of sites, where appropriate, and the technical readiness of projects to proceed. It is not possible to advance all projects in the early stages of the programme. Maidir leis an ngaelscoil seo, b'fhéidir go mbeidh an Seanadóir sásta an scéal seo a ghlacadh ón Aire: contracts have been signed and acquisition is expected to be completed by the end of mí Márta i mbliana. Once the site has been acquired, the project will be progressed through the architectural planning processes. The Department will be in direct contact with the school.

Ba mhaith liom buíochas a ghabháil leis an Seanadóir arís as ucht an cheist seo a chur faoi bhráid an tSeanaid. Beidh mé sásta na tuairimí a nochtadh anseo a chur ar aghaidh go díreach go dtí an tAire Oideachais agus Scileanna.

Fidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael)
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Tá sórt náire orm nach bhfuil nuacht níos fearr ag an Aire Stáit dom sa chás seo. I already knew everything the Minister of State has told me. I know about the high birth rate between 2007 and 2013. The school in question has experienced 100% growth in attendance. I will make a final point and ask a final question.

I appreciate that the Minister of State is speaking on behalf of the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Ruairí Quinn, and I am aware of his commitment to education. If this school has to wait until 2015 or 2016 for a new building, it will be too late. It would be short-sighted of the Department to take such an approach in this case. A brand new school may well be needed to accommodate the 300 children and the further 81 who are expected next year. The school is located on a site of less than half an acre and has no more room for buildings. As I said, most of us have half an acre at home. The school has to organise five staggered breaks and infant classes do not have any play time. If the school is not moved up the scale to allow the project to begin in 2014 and be completed in September of that year, it will be a shame and a national disgrace. The only good line in the Minister of State's reply was "the Department will be in direct contact with the school". I hope that contact will bring better news than the statement we have just heard. Will the Minister of State mention the importance of the issue I have raised to the Minister if he gets an opportunity to do so? That is all I am asking.

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Mar a dúirt mé, beidh mé an-sásta na tuairimí a nochtadh anseo a chur faoi bhráid an Aire chomh luath agus is féidir. Caithfidh mé a rá arís go bhfuil suíomh faighte acu agus go bhfuil sé soiléir go mbeidh na conarthaí sínithe agus an suíomh aimsithe roimh deireadh na míosa seo chugainn. Tarlóidh an méid sin tapaidh go leor. Mar a luaigh an Seanadóir, dúirt mé go mbeidh an Roinn ag caint go díreach leis an scoil.

Fidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael)
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Tá sé sin go maith, ar aon nós.

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Tá mé sásta tuairimí an Seanadóir a thabhairt chuig an Aire.

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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Before I call the Minister of State, I welcome to the Visitors Gallery Senator Eamonn Coghlan and his party. I notice that he is accompanied by Mr. Des McCormack and Mr. Ronnie Delany. I do not recognise anybody else. They are all very welcome.

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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I also welcome Mr. Ronnie Delany who was and still is one of my heroes. I welcome Senator Eamonn Coghlan, too.

Ta mé ag glacadh an díospóireacht seo thar ceann an Aire Oideachais agus Scileanna. Mar a dúirt an Seanadóir, tá an tAire sa Dáil faoi láthair. Glacaim leis go bhfuil an díospóireacht seo an-tábhachtach don Seanadóir Healy Eames, a d'ardaigh ceist Gaelscoil de hÍde in Uarán Mór. B'fhéidir go dtuigeann an Seanadóir cé chomh práinneach is atá an scéal ó thaobh an méid daoine óga atá ag teacht ar an saol faoi láthair. Total enrolment in primary and post-primary schools is expected to grow by níos mó ná 70,000 by 2018 - níos mó ná 45,000 ag an bunleibhéal agus 25,000 at post-primary level. Leanfaidh an fás seo ar aghaidh go dtí 2024 ar a laghad at post-primary level. Recent birth rate data published by the Central Statistics Office show that almost 20,000 births were registered in the first quarter of 2011. Is é seo an méid breitheanna is mó riamh ó thosnaíomar ag comhaireamh na figiúirí sa bhliain 1960. The birth data also show that 19,313 births were registered in the first quarter of 2012. This indicates a continuation of the high birth rates experienced in recent years. In the light of such recent population growth, we will have a much increased enrolment at all levels of education. This is expected to continue in the medium term. It is vital that there is sufficient school accommodation to cope with this increase, as the Senator pointed out.

In order to meet the needs of our growing population of schoolchildren, the Department of Education and Skills must establish new schools, as well as extending or replacing existing schools in áiteanna ina bhfuil an daonra ag fás, ach go háirithe. The delivery of these schools, together with extension projects to meet future demand, will be the main focus of the budget of the Department in the coming years. The five year plan the Minister announced in March 2012 outlines the major school projects planned to proceed to construction over the duration of the plan. This represents a major advance in how the school building programme is publicised. It provides certainty for patrons and school communities, including those at Gaelscoil de hÍde, that the Department is in a position to progress. The schools included in the five year plan know when their projects will proceed to construction. This will facilitate schools in planning to meet the educational needs of children in their areas. I gcás Gaelscoil de hÍde, tá sé pleanáilte go mbeidh an scoil nua á thógáil idir 2015 agus 2016.

The Senator will appreciate that the scheduling of schools within the plan takes into account the funding available, the progression of other major projects required to meet significant demographic needs, the stage of progression reached by individual projects in the architectural design process, the availability of sites, where appropriate, and the technical readiness of projects to proceed. It is not possible to advance all projects in the early stages of the programme. Maidir leis an ngaelscoil seo, b'fhéidir go mbeidh an Seanadóir sásta an scéal seo a ghlacadh ón Aire: contracts have been signed and acquisition is expected to be completed by the end of mí Márta i mbliana. Once the site has been acquired, the project will be progressed through the architectural planning processes. The Department will be in direct contact with the school.

Ba mhaith liom buíochas a ghabháil leis an Seanadóir arís as ucht an cheist seo a chur faoi bhráid an tSeanaid. Beidh mé sásta na tuairimí a nochtadh anseo a chur ar aghaidh go díreach go dtí an tAire Oideachais agus Scileanna.

Fidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael)
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Tá sórt náire orm nach bhfuil nuacht níos fearr ag an Aire Stáit dom sa chás seo. I already knew everything the Minister of State has told me. I know about the high birth rate between 2007 and 2013. The school in question has experienced 100% growth in attendance. I will make a final point and ask a final question.

I appreciate that the Minister of State is speaking on behalf of the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Ruairí Quinn, and I am aware of his commitment to education. If this school has to wait until 2015 or 2016 for a new building, it will be too late. It would be short-sighted of the Department to take such an approach in this case. A brand new school may well be needed to accommodate the 300 children and the further 81 who are expected next year. The school is located on a site of less than half an acre and has no more room for buildings. As I said, most of us have half an acre at home. The school has to organise five staggered breaks and infant classes do not have any play time. If the school is not moved up the scale to allow the project to begin in 2014 and be completed in September of that year, it will be a shame and a national disgrace. The only good line in the Minister of State's reply was "the Department will be in direct contact with the school". I hope that contact will bring better news than the statement we have just heard. Will the Minister of State mention the importance of the issue I have raised to the Minister if he gets an opportunity to do so? That is all I am asking.

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Mar a dúirt mé, beidh mé an-sásta na tuairimí a nochtadh anseo a chur faoi bhráid an Aire chomh luath agus is féidir. Caithfidh mé a rá arís go bhfuil suíomh faighte acu agus go bhfuil sé soiléir go mbeidh na conarthaí sínithe agus an suíomh aimsithe roimh deireadh na míosa seo chugainn. Tarlóidh an méid sin tapaidh go leor. Mar a luaigh an Seanadóir, dúirt mé go mbeidh an Roinn ag caint go díreach leis an scoil.

Fidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael)
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Tá sé sin go maith, ar aon nós.

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Tá mé sásta tuairimí an Seanadóir a thabhairt chuig an Aire.