I thank the Chair for the opportunity to raise this matter on the Adjournment which relates to the physical education hall at St. Mac Dara's community college in Templeogue. Anxiety regarding the construction of the hall has been ongoing for a number of years, but a certain level of progress has been made recently.
A formal commitment was given on 6 April 1995 by the then Minister for Education to initiate the planning process for the development. That was three years ago and the project has dragged on in the intervening period. A series of representations have been made by all the public representatives in the area and a number of statements and announcements have been made by various Ministers in recent years. Two issues arise. When will the project go to tender and when will construction commence?
I emphasise to the Minister of State that there is an inordinate level of frustration and irritation among the parents of students at the school. Some parents are particularly dismayed because they anticipated that the development would have been available for their children some years ago. However, their children have now left the school and did not have the benefit of the hall. There is a huge need for the facility in the area and I ask the Minister of State to give urgent consideration to the two questions which I pose on behalf of the parents and the community in Templeogue. When will the project go to tender and when will construction commence? I hope the Minister of State can give me a favourable response to these questions which are of major concern to the parents and the community.