Seanad Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 28 Jun 2012

Vol. 216 No. 6

Adjournment Matters

Leader Programmes

Senator Brian Ó Domhnaill

Baineann an rún seo leis na scéimeanna Leader a chuirtear ar fáil sna Gaeltachtaí, go háirithe i mo Ghaeltacht, Gaeltacht Dhún na nGall. I will continue in English for the benefit of the Minister of State, who has good Irish but who may on this occasion want the point made clear in English.

The Leader fund is vital to this country and will be available until 2013. Meitheal Forbartha na Gaeltachta wound up as a company in August or September of last year. As a result, many projects in Gaeltacht areas in respect of which funding was approved were unable to draw it down. I know of a number of projects in my constituency in respect of which community organisations have taken out overdrafts with banks and financial institutions on the strength of their grant approval. To date, the grants have not been drawn down due to the very slow re-establishment of the Leader funding programme for Gaeltacht areas. Gaeltacht areas have lost out on millions of euro as a result of there being no administrative structure in place to channel the grants and allow employers and community organisations to apply for them.

In Donegal, expressions of interest in administering the scheme were sought by Pobal in March, and a number were received. Progress on the part of the Department has been slow, given that six or eight months had expired without the scheme being rolled out and allowing a new organisation to take over the administrative functions of the scheme so groups could apply for grants and so the money owed to groups that were approved before the winding up of Meitheal Forbartha na Gaeltachta could be paid out. This is long overdue.

I hope the Minister of State will be able to reassure all the groups from Gaeltacht areas that were owed money by Meitheal Forbartha na Gaeltachta before it wound up or are owed money by Pobal or the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government. It is time that those groups received clarity and that a new scheme were put in place in County Donegal, be it under the remit of the Donegal Local Development Company or any other organisation. The scheme ought to be up and running and applicants should be afforded the opportunity to apply for grant aid under it before it runs out at the end of 2013. We are talking about European money co-funded by the Irish Exchequer. We have lost out on the funding in Gaeltacht areas. When the scheme is re-established in Gaeltacht areas, I ask that there be front-loading of funding therefor. An extensive advertising campaign should be undertaken so groups will know they can apply and that additional funding will be made available given that the Gaeltacht has had no funding whatsoever over the past 11 months.

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills (Deputy Ciarán Cannon)

I thank Senator Ó Domhnaill for raising this matter. The Leader initiative was established by the European Commission in 1991. It was designed to aid the development of sustainable rural communities following the reforms of the Common Agricultural Policy.

Leader II, which commenced in 1994, extended the programme to all rural areas in Ireland and was delivered by 34 groups. While Leader I had been a pilot initiative, Leader II was designed to complement the strategy for rural areas in the national development plan for the period 1994 to 1999. In addition to increased funding and coverage of all rural areas, emphasis was placed on the acquisition of skills and improved capacity-building to ensure delivery of the business plan for the rural area.

Leader continued in the 2000-06 round of EU funding and operated in all rural areas of the country in that programming period. While 36 groups were contracted initially to deliver the Leader elements of the current programming round from 2007 to 2013, there are currently 35. Since 1994, therefore, all rural areas of Ireland, including all Gaeltacht areas, have been included in the Leader elements of successive rural development programmes.

Meitheal Forbartha na Gaeltachta, MFG, the group contracted by the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government to deliver axes 3 and 4 of the rural development programme, RDP, in Gaeltacht areas, went into liquidation on 7 September 2011 leaving those areas temporarily without access to the programme. Progress in the context of the legal winding up of MFG is ongoing and in this context the final figures with regard to the number of payments due are not yet fully clarified. The Department is aware of the level of funding committed at various stages of the project life cycle, but a series of administrative and financial checks will have to be carried out before payment numbers and amounts can be finalised.

MFG is a private limited company and it is beyond the remit of the Minister or his Department to direct the business of such a company in any way. The group's liquidation process is still ongoing and both the Minister and I acknowledge that the current situation has caused delays in the delivery of the Leader elements of the RDP in Gaeltacht areas. However, this delay relates primarily to the need to ensure the continued effective delivery of projects funded under the RDP, including, in this instance, the capacity to deliver the services through the medium of Irish. The Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government is also responsible for ensuring that any solution is fully compliant with and has the capacity to ensure all projects are fully compliant with all EU and national requirements.

The process of identifying those promoters whose projects are at an advanced stage of development has been largely established and a system entailing co-operation with local development companies, LDCs, contiguous to Gaeltacht areas is in place to facilitate the final checking and processing of payment claims in respect of these projects in the short term. Many of these files have now been sent to the relevant LDCs which will be in touch directly with the relevant promoter to arrange payment.

In the context of the delivery of axes 3 and 4 elements of the RDP in Gaeltacht areas in the longer term, the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government has been working with geographically contiguous LDCs to determine the optimum long-term solutions to facilitate the continuation of the service previously provided by MFG in Gaeltacht areas.

Following the completion of an open and inclusive process, I can now confirm that a long-term delivery solution for the remainder of the current programme has been agreed for the Gaeltacht areas of counties Galway, Donegal, Kerry, Cork, Waterford and Meath. The Department is in the process of formalising arrangements with the relevant local development companies and while there is a system in place to address the current outstanding commitments in County Mayo in general and the future delivery for the Gaeltacht areas of south-west Mayo in particular, some further work is required to finalise a solution for the current delivery in the remaining areas of County Mayo. However, the Minister, Deputy Hogan, expects a solution in respect of that final area will be reached very shortly. The Minister believes the final solution, which sees of the future delivery of the Leader elements of the rural development programme, RDP, allocated to the relevant local development companies, is a significant step forward and is confident the Gaeltacht areas of Ireland will now have fully restored access to RDP funding.

Senator Brian Ó Domhnaill

While I thank the Minister of State for his response, unfortunately, it contained little that is new. Although progress is being made, it is extremely slow, which is unfortunate. In my native county of Donegal, the local partnership company has been engaged in discussions with the Department since April but still does not have full authority to commence administering the scheme. Consequently, I ask the Minister of State to convey this urgency, in respect of all Gaeltacht areas, to the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government. While this matter does not pertain to the Minister of State's own Department, I thank him for his response.

Foirne Scoile

Senator Trevor Ó Clochartaigh

Ba mhaith liom nóiméad de mo chuid ama a roinnt leis an Seanadóir Norris.

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire Stáit as teacht isteach. Táim ag ardú ceiste anois atá ardaithe agam cheana leis taobh amuigh den seomra seo maidir le scoil náisiúnta Inis Meáin. Tá aithne mhaith ag an Aire Stáit ar Inis Meáin agus Oileáin Árainn. Tháinig an scéal seo chun solas Dé hAoine seo caite. Fuair an bord bainistíochta agus an scoil litir ón Roinn Oideachais agus Scileanna ag rá go raibh an dara múinteoir atá acu ansin le h-imeacht. Tuigim go bhfuil cúinsí airgeadais ag cur as don Roinn faoi láthair agus go bhfuil deacrachtaíáirithe i gceist leis sin. Ach táimid ag iarraidh soiléiriú a fháil ar an chaoi a dtángthas ar an gcinneadh seo agus an féidir na himpleachtaí a bhaineann leis sin a léiriú go soiléir?

Gan dabht, is oileán faoi leith é Inis Meáin agus tá cúinsí eisceachtúla ag baint leis an oileán sin. Tá líon na ndaltaí a bheadh in aon scoil ar oileán chomh beag leis sin íseal go leor. Bhí ochtar dalta ag teastáil uathu le go mbeadh stádas don dara múinteoir acu agus tuigtear dom go mbeidh ochtar dalta acu i mí Meán Fómhair seo chugainn, ach b'fhéidir go bhfuil soiléiriú eile ag an Aire ar an gceist sin. Tá an cheist seo iontach casta, cé go gceapann daoine go bhfuil síéasca go leor mar tá bád farantóireachta agus eitleáin ag dul isteach agus amach as Inis Meáin agus dá bhrí sin go bhfuil cúrsaí taistil éasca go leor. Ach maidir leis an dara múinteoir atá le h-imeacht, tuigtear dom go bhfuil sé i gceist go roinnfidh sí am idir Inis Meáin agus Inis Oírr. Níl sin praiticiúil d'aon duine ar Inis Meáin nó ar Inis Oírr. Ní féidir é sin a dhéanamh ar bhonn laethúil nuair a thógtar san áireamh cúrsaí iompair agus aimsire agus mar sin de.

Chomh maith leis sin, tuigtear dom go bfhuil an múinteoir atá i gceist pósta ar an oileán agus go bhfuil clann aici atá ag dul chuig an meánscoil ansin agus go bhfuil a fear chéile ag obair. Bheadh sí i gcás an-deacair dá mbeadh uirthi bogadh amach ón oileán le obair a dhéanamh i scoil éigean eile i gceantar eile. Táim ag iarraidh soiléiriú a fháil ar an gceist seo. An bhfuil aon bhealach gur féidir achomharc a thabhairt ar an gceist seo mar gheall ar chúrsaí sóisialta, cúrsaí oileáin, cúrsaí teanga agus mar sin de? Níl aon áit eile sa domhan cosúil le Inis Meáin, chomh iargúlta agus speisialta agus atá sé. Tá sé fíor thábhachtach na daltaí atá ann a choinneáil sa scoil sin agus le daoine breise a mhealladh go dtí an oileán le daltaí a chur ann amach anseo agus go mbeadh caighdeán an-ard oideachais ann.

Cé a rinne idirbheartaíocht idir an Roinn agus an scoil sa chás seo? Cé a bhí ag caint leis an Roinn — mar níl sin soiléir? Tuigim go bhfuil freagra ag an Aire Stáit agus tá a fhios agam go bhfuil an-suim aige sa scéal, mar phlé méé leis cheana. Tuigim freisin go bhfuil sé faoi bhrú ag ceisteanna go leor eile. Ba mhaith liom anois nóiméad a thabhairt don Seanadóir Norris.

Senator David Norris

I thank Senator Ó Clochartaigh for this opportunity. Incidentally, I note that while I can usually understand Members who speak in Irish, the Senator spoke very fast and so I listened to the translation. I compliment the translator because the manner in which he kept up was superb.

I raised this issue earlier, which is the reason Senator Ó Clochartaigh generously offered me a little time on this issue. The points I made were that in the first instance, it is a unique location. Second, this school has distinguished itself in an extraordinary manner by winning prizes, such as second prize in the Ericsson national science competition. This tiny little school, located out on Inis Meáin on the Aran Islands, has won several other distinctions and had been praised highly by the Department's own inspectorate. The population there fluctuates and by September of next year, it will again have risen above eight pupils. The special rule was made by a previous Government that the qualifying level should be reduced for the special circumstances that apply on the Aran Islands. Senator Ó Clochartaigh and I are worried this may be altering. I see the Minister of State is shaking his head and I am glad to put that on the record. Well done. However, the number of pupils will rise to eight again and it is vital this school is maintained, regardless of whether the numbers fluctuate. My clinching argument is those pupils feed into the secondary school, which is a major and comparatively recent achievement for this island. It would be appalling if, in circumstances in which islanders have just reached the point at which children are not obliged to travel to the mainland, they must recommence so doing, because that would dishearten the islanders. There is a very strong case in this regard.

I visited the Aran Islands during the presidential campaign and was on Inis Mór, to which I had not been previously. While listening to people there, the point they were making was they are a special case and I believe this to be true. If one is committed to the preservation of something that is extremely precious in respect of our natural, cultural heritage and of our way of life, special conditions must operate. In conjunction with Senator Ó Clochartaigh, to whom I am grateful for the opportunity to say these few words, I appeal to the Minister of State to preserve this school and to make special arrangements.

Deputy Ciarán Cannon

I am taking this Adjournment matter on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Quinn. I thank both Senators for giving me the opportunity to outline for the House the position relating to the staffing of Inis Meáin national school for the coming school year 2012-13.

The criteria used for the allocation of teachers to schools are published annually on my Department's website. The key factor for determining the level of staffing resources provided at individual school level is the national staffing schedule for the relevant school year and the specific pupil enrolments in the school in question on 30 September in the previous year. As both Senators suggested, within these arrangements there is special provision for island schools that takes account of the circumstances identified by the Senators, which arise in respect of providing education in a unique island setting. This special provision means that unlike the generality of schools, in the event that a reduction in the pupil numbers of an island school will result in the loss of the second or third classroom teaching post in the school, the post may be retained subject to certain pupil retention levels. Members should bear in mind these are unique to island schools. In the case of the second mainstream post, the total number of pupils must be at eight or above and the school must be the only primary school remaining on the island.

The pupil enrolment in scoil náisiúnta Inis Meáin for 30 September 2011 was six pupils, compared with nine pupils in September 2010. Under the published staffing schedule, this reduces the staffing level in the school for the 2012-13 school year from a two-teacher to a one-teacher school. In addition, the school also is entitled to ten hours per week of general allocation and language support teaching support. The school submitted an appeal to the primary staffing appeals board. All appeals submitted to the primary staffing appeals board are considered in accordance with published appeal criteria. The appeal by the school was unsuccessful on the basis that the school did not meet the published appeal criteria. The appeals board operates independently of the Department and its decision is final.

Lest there be any confusion, I should clarify that the budgetary changes that were applied to small schools generally this year are not relevant in this case. The situation that has arisen in this school, triggered by the fall in enrolment to six pupils, would have given rise to the same outcome in previous years and would have been subject to the same appeal criteria. Likewise, the new appeal criteria introduced for small schools arising from the budget measure are not relevant. As the only primary school on Inis Meáin, the scoil náisiúnta was not affected by the budget measure at all. By way of comparison, the small schools that were affected by the budget measure are required to be projecting at least 17 pupils in September 2012 to be able to retain provisionally their second teacher in a two-teacher school. The retention criterion for scoil náisiúnta Inis Meáin was eight pupils, which it did not meet.

Consequently, the second teacher in the school submitted an application to my Department on 23 March 2012 to be redeployed through the normal redeployment arrangements for primary school teachers. Under the redeployment arrangements, a panel officer was appointed by my Department, at the request of the patron, to assist with this process. The recommendation of a panel officer is binding. The panel officer has recommended that the teacher be redeployed to a shared general allocation-language support post to be based in her current school on Inis Meáin and serving the learning-language support needs of Scoil Inis Meáin and Scoil Naomh Caomháin on Inis Oirr.

I understand my Department was informed earlier this week that this proposal is not acceptable to the teacher or to the board of management of scoil Inis Meáin.

The public service, Croke Park agreement 2010-14, makes provision for the redeployment of public servants. The provisions of that agreement in relation to redeployment are now, in effect, contractual in relation to public servants covered by the agreement. The Croke Park agreement provides a guarantee of job security for permanent teachers contingent on flexible redeployment arrangements. The continuation of salary is only possible where any new appointment is accepted once offered.

Senator Trevor Ó Clochartaigh

Táim buíoch don Aire Stáit as an bhfreagra sin. An cheist a chuir mé ná an bhfuil aon bhealach gur féidir achomharc eile a dhéanamh ar seo. Tuigtear dom go bhfuil ochtar dalta ar fáil, nó sin atá siad ag rá liom. Más féidir leis an scoil a cruthú go mbeidh ochtar dalta acu, an mbeadh an Roinn sásta éisteacht le achomharc? An imní atá orm, maidir leis an alt deireanach faoi Chomhaontú Pháirc an Chrócaigh, ná go bhfuil sibh ag rá nach mbeidh an múinteoir ag fáil pá muna bhfuil sí sásta glacadh leis an tairiscint. Ón aithne atá ag an Aire Stáit ar Inis Meáin agus Inis Oírr agus an praiticiúlacht a bhaineann leis an gcinneadh, b'fhéidir nach bhfuil an cinneadh cothrom sa chás seo, mar níl sé praiticiúil a bheith ag roinnt duine idir an dá oileán. An mbeadh an Roinn sásta breathnú ar sin arís.

Senator David Norris

I totally support what Senator Ó Clochartaigh has said. If we can find a way, let us do it. This is an obvious fudge concerning language support. They are speaking the language there and do not need language support. They are not people in Blackrock or Foxrock, so let us have another little fudge and get the teacher retained.

Deputy Ciarán Cannon

Fudging in certain areas might have got us into some of the current mess, though not all of it. The appeals process that was established to deal with the new budgetary arrangements around small rural schools was effectively put there to assess whether the enrolment in a particular school was trending upwards or downwards. If it could be proven conclusively that the enrolment was trending upwards, the school was essentially allowed to retain the teacher it was due to lose.

If Scoil Inis Meáin could supply us with evidence — it should be straightforward to do so on an island — of its likely enrolments in the coming years, 2012 to 2014, I will undertake to at least examine those numbers and see it they justify retention. We have gone a long way down an independent process, however, over which the Minister has no influence whatsoever. Nonetheless, I will certainly undertake to re-examine the case if that evidence is submitted to the Department.

Schools Building Projects

Senator Deirdre Clune

I am glad to have an opportunity to raise the issue of a proposed new national school for Educate Together in Carrigaline, County Cork, which is a growing area. In September 2008, a new Educate Together school was established in temporary rented accommodation and had 20 pupils at that stage. Last September, the school had 150 students and it is expected to have 180 in September 2012 based on current enrolments. Given the projected growth in population in the area up to 2014, the school is expected to have close to 300 pupils.

In January this year, the school opened an autistic spectrum disorder, or ASD, unit following a request from the special educational needs organiser in the area. The unit is very successful and has six pupils to date.

The school was under the impression that it would have a new building start this year. The staff hoped to move in to such a new facility in September 2013. Planning permission for the new school was granted at the end of May. After the planning application was made, the Department of Education and Skills said it was important to the planning process because it expected to have the school under construction and in operation in 2013.

The school meets the criteria applicable to band 11 and is serving a rapidly developing area where the existing educational provision is unable to meet demand for places. That is the category under which this school qualified. The 2013 date has now been pushed out to 2014-15 following an announcement by the Minister for Education and Skills.

Due to its rapid expansion, the school caters for 150 pupils on two separate campuses, which makes communication difficult. It covers six classes, including two junior infant classes. The situation is not ideal for staff, pupils or parents. Children from one family may be on separate campuses which are 1.5 miles apart in a busy town.

There is huge disappointment that the new school project has been delayed. The Minister has said that 80% of his Department's budget goes on staffing and I know his capital expenditure is restricted. I am not asking that any other school, to which a building programme has been already committed, should be demoted in favour of this particular school. I am asking the Minister of State to examine the matter, however. This request arises from a recent meeting I attended with parents and teachers involved in the Educate Together school in Carrigaline. If, for some reason, funding becomes available — perhaps because another school failed to meet the planning criteria and was not being processed — this school should be looked upon favourably.

The Minister of State probably has the enrolment figures, but I raised this Adjournment matter to articulate the difficult situation facing this school with separate campuses in a rapidly growing town. The enrolment is increasing annually with a new full class of at least 30 pupils or more. In addition, the ASD unit is playing an important role and is very much needed in the Carrigaline area. There are six pupils this year, which is a high intake in a single school. The ASD unit was established on the understanding that the new school project would progress this year for start-up in September 2013.

The Minister of State should bear in mind the severe difficulties facing parents, teachers and students in this school.

Deputy Ciarán Cannon

I am taking this Adjournment matter on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Ruairí Quinn. I thank Senator Clune for raising the matter as it provides me with an opportunity to clarify the current position concerning the building of a new Educate Together school in Carrigaline, County Cork.

The Senator may find it helpful if I set out the context within which decisions relating to meeting the accommodation needs of schools must be considered over the coming years. Total enrolment is expected to grow by around 70,000 students between now and 2018 — that is, by more than 45,000 at primary level and 25,000 at post primary level. To meet the needs of our growing population of school-going children, the Department must establish new schools as well as extending or replacing a number of existing schools in areas, including Carrigaline, where demographic growth has been identified. The delivery of these new schools, together with extension projects to meet future demand, will be the main focus of the Department's budget in the coming years.

The five-year programme which the Minister announced on 12 March, will provide more than 100,000 permanent school places, of which more than 80,000 will be new school places. The remainder will be the replacement of temporary or unsatisfactory accommodation. Carrigaline Educate Together school is, fortunately, included in the five-year programme to go to construction in 2014-15 for the provision of a new school. The Department of Education and Skills has previously reached agreement with Cork County Council to acquire a suitable site for the new school, subject to planning permission being secured. I am sure the Senator is aware that earlier this week Cork County Council granted planning permission for the proposed new school building. Now that planning is secured the acquisition of the site will be completed. Department officials will continue to engage with the school authorities regarding the progression of the project.

I thank the Senator again for giving me the opportunity to outline to the House the current situation regarding that building project for Carrigaline Educate Together school. It is envisaged that a certain number of projects will be delivered each year in the five-year programme. The design and planning process to bring about that has now been set in motion. It would be difficult to move any schools around within that structure. For example, the schools to be delivered next year are now being managed by the design and planning unit in Tullamore. There is a bundle of schools that are now going through that process.

Next year, we will move into the schools that will be delivered the following year, which will include Carrigaline. One can expect therefore that progress will happen. In case there is any doubt in the minds of the Senator, the board of management, parents and pupils of the school in Carrigaline, it is most certainly the intention of the Minister to deliver on every project in the five-year programme within the five-year timeline.

Senator Deirdre Clune

I thank the Minister of State for his statement and appreciate his clarification. I understand the position, but I wanted to outline the severe difficulties facing the school which is growing. With the ASD unit and the growth in population, it is really feeling the pinch.

Battle of the Boyne Site

Senator Thomas Byrne

I thank the Cathaoirleach for his indulgence and allowing me to debate this motion. I failed to attend on Tuesday evening to discuss it because of a clash of diary commitments, for which I apologise. I also apologise to the Department and the officials involved.

This is an issue I have raised on a number of occasions on the Adjournment. I also raised it in the Dáil under the previous Government. There was a commitment given by the former Minister of State at the Department of Finance with responsibility for the OPW, Mr. Martin Mansergh, that the construction of a playground at the Battle of the Boyne site at Oldbridge, County Meath, would be given the go-ahead. To my delight and that of the people of counties Meath and Louth, this commitment was restated by the Minister of State, Deputy Brian Hayes. I am looking for an update on progress. The Minister of State, Deputy Brian Hayes, has spoken about a tender process which I hope will come to a satisfactory conclusion. Providing a playground would be in the best interests not only of the communities and children of the area, but also of the OPW and the administration at Oldbridge which would see a significant increase in the number of visitors and have facilities on a par with those available at Ardgillen Park or Newbridge House in County Dublin.

Deputy Ciarán Cannon

I apologise on behalf of the Minister of State, Deputy Brian Hayes, who is unable to be here and asked me to take this Adjournment matter on his behalf. I thank the Senator for raising it.

As the Minister of State outlined to the Seanad on 8 February, Oldbridge Estate was the core site of the historic Battle of the Boyne in 1690. The property comprises some 500 acres and an 18th century manor house, associated outbuildings and walled gardens. Following development by the Office of Public Works as a heritage and tourism presentation, the site has proved to be a popular public attraction. The site is of particular significance to the Unionist community in Northern Ireland and also attracts a broad range of general visitors. The extensive facilities provided, both indoor and outdoor, have won much praise and helped to establish Oldbridge as one of the top tourist attractions in the region. Over 40,000 visitors annually are received in the house, with multiples of this number making use of the grounds and walkways. Sport, leisure and recreational users represent a high proportion of the overall number of visitors and families, in particular, make great use of the open parkland, gardens and refreshment services.

In the light of this experience, OPW agreed, in principle, that a playground would be a fitting and popular additional facility and, having developed a design scheme, planning permission was obtained from Meath County Council. Following completion of final design details, tenders were invited for the first stage of the scheme. This comprises civil engineering works such as soil excavation, site preparation and drainage. The matter will be kept under review throughout the remainder of the year in the light of the prevailing financial climate.

Given the relevance of a playground facility to the local community and the role of the local authority in this context, Meath County Council has also been asked to make a contribution to the cost of the provision of the playground and its subsequent maintenance. While a response has not yet been received from the council, it is considered such an approach would be mutually beneficial to the objectives of the two public bodies. If funding can be made available from the local authority, it would greatly help our commitment to enhancing this much needed facility at Oldbridge. The Minister of State is still confident that a solution can be found and has instructed his officials to contact the county council again to ascertain the level of funding it may be able to provide.

Senator Thomas Byrne

I thank the Ministers of State for the reply with which, to a certain extent, I am satisfied in the sense that the commitment still stands. I understand the request of Meath County Council to provide funding was made some time ago, perhaps in the term of office of the previous Government. It is disappointing, therefore, to hear the Minister of State say the county council has not yet replied. I will urge my colleagues on the county council to take up this matter with it. The Minister of State needs to knock heads together, as this project would be mutually beneficial. The village of Donore is located beside the site. The local authority had earmarked funds for a playground there but failed to secure a suitable site. It seems this is the ideal solution, not only for Donore but for the wider area of east Meath and south Louth. I urge the Minister of State to telephone the officials involved. I will put a call through and ask my colleagues on the county council to push the issue. This would make the park a premier family and tourist destination. There are pony trials this weekend. In fact, there is something on there every weekend. The park gives great joy. It was one of the best investments during the Celtic tiger era. Apart from the site's sacred history for many people on the island, if a playground was provided, children, including my own, would obtain even more value and entertainment from it.

Acting Chairman (Senator Michael Mullins)

The Senator has sold it well. We must all visit it.

The Seanad adjourned at 5.25 p.m. until noon on Tuesday, 3 July 2012.