I would like at the outset to thank you for giving me the opportunity to raise this matter. The extension of Scoil Uí Mhuirí has been long awaited. At present the school has 372 pupils, that number having increased from 170 in ten years. The building unit in the Department of Education originally received the application for the extension about ten years ago. Needless to say, much water has passed under the bridge since then and, unfortunately, the expenditure on the provision of prefabricated equipment has increased greatly, particularly in the last three years. I understand a total of six prefabricated buildings have been provided on the school site since 1990 leaving a grant total of 15 prefabricated school classrooms in Scoil Uí Mhuirí. That illustrates the urgency of getting this building project under way in the coming year.
The school is an excellent one by any standards. Its record of academic achievement stands comparison with any secondary school around the country. I know the principal, Paul Nolan, and his excellent teaching staff are very proud of the achievements of the school and are anxious to improve the facilities for the pupils there. On the basis of the figures I have just quoted the parents in the school's catchment area are conscious and appreciative of what the school is doing for their area. I would be delighted if the Minister for Education could tell me tonight that she will be in a position to provide finance for the building project in the forthcoming Estimates.
