Ba mhaith liom buíochas a ghlacadh leis an Leas-Cheann Chomhairle as an deis seo a thógáil agus ba mhaith liom freisin buíochas a ghlacadh leis an Aire Stáit as ucht teacht isteach agus éisteacht liom tráthnóna. Tá díomá orm narbh fhiú don Aire í féin teacht isteach ach tá súil agam go mbeidh deá-scéala ag an Aire Stáit.
Tá fhios ag an Aire Stáit go bhfuil muintir Colinamuch le fada ag súil go gcuirfear caoi ar an scoil agus freisin go gcuirfear síneadh riachtanach leis. Tá an-díomá orthu nach ndearnadh sin go dáta
I thank the Minister of State for coming in to listen to me. Colinamuck is a two teacher school situated between Moycullen and the lake on the east side of Connemara. For some considerable time it has been seeking funds for the refurbishment and extension of the school which was built in 1949 and is in urgent need of remedial work.
In January 1995 it was on the priority list. Despite this and the fact that two years have elapsed it has not yet been given the go-ahead to go to tender and carry out the work. There was disappointment and resentment in the area when in January 1997 other schools in County Galway, and throughout the country, got the go-ahead while Colinamuck was ignored.
The people of Colinamuck wish to make it clear they do not begrudge anybody better school buildings but do not understand why their project which, although small, is urgent and has been constantly ignored. They have resisted the temptation to get involved in protest strikes or any other action because they are anxious not to involve the students at the school in such activities. I have no doubt the Minister of State will respect them for this and will reassure me that such action would not have assisted their case and would not have caused the Minister to give greater priority to it.
Colinamuck is an area with a rapidly growing population because of the growth of Galway city. Despite a general decline in the birth rate, it is expected that enrolments in the area will continue to be strong for the foreseeable future. I hope the Minister can allow this project to proceed. There is no parish hall or other facility that can be used while the school is being repaired so it is vital that the work be done in the summer holidays. It is important that the go-ahead for tender should be given immediately so that work can commence at the beginning of July.
Mar a dúirt mé ar dtús, táim buíoch den Aire as ucht teacht isteach agus éisteacht liom. Pobal breá láidir iad pobal Colinamuck. An rud is lú atá tuilte acu ná go mbeadh scoil don céad scoth acu. Tá fíorghá go gceadófaí an obair seo láithreach mar níl aon halla pobal sa ceantar agus mar sin, bheadh deacrachtaí ionad d'fháil don scoil fhad is a mbeadh an obair ar bun. Ar an ábhar san, tá sé fíorthabhachtach go dtabharfaí cead don obair a dhéanamh i rith an tsamhradh. Chun é sin a dhéanamh, ní mór na tairiscintí a ligeant amach láithreach chun go mbeadh an obair réidh le tosnú i mí Iúil. Táiacute;m ag súil le dea-scéal ón Aire agus táim cinnte nach ligfidh sé síos mé,
