After the heady business of the past few days, I wish to raise a practical matter with the Minister, that is, the need for a physical education/assembly hall for St. Michael's secondary school, Finglas. It is a large girls secondary school with over 800 pupils from my constituency. Some pupils come from areas experiencing high levels of disadvantage in terms of education and social infrastructure. Despite that, St. Michael's secondary school has a well deserved reputation for excellence in the provision of all aspects of education and the formation of the young people in its care. However, this work is hindered by the absence of a large space in which they can engage in the many activities other schools that have such a facility can. Assemblies, concerts and physical education activities are inhibited by the absence of a hall.
I have been contacted not only by present staff, pupils and parents, but by past pupils. Schools are often the focus for ongoing interest in terms of sporting activities. This year the local people decided to engage in a concerted campaign to address this inadequacy which has gone on for too long and to raise matching funds. We hope the Department will give the go ahead for the provision of this facility in this financial year. I invite Ministers and Ministers of State to visit the school to see the tiny space in which the school must provide a full range of activities for 800 young women. No more young women should be deprived of basic facilities in a modern school.
