I welcome the opportunity to raise this matter on the Adjournment. Blessington, situated in west Wicklow only a few miles from the Dublin border, is subject to the population overflow of the greater metropolitan area. In March-April 1999, St. Mary's primary school obtained approval from the Department of Education and Science to renovate the old school building and turn it into classrooms. To date, this work has not even commenced, resulting in the staff room being used as a classroom and a converted hallway being used as a special needs room for the past year.
In September 1999, 361 pupils enrolled in the school and 386 pupils are enrolled for September. There will be a need to accommodate 15 classes but there will only be 12 rooms. In April of this year, the school applied for the provision of two permanent prefabs to accommodate growing numbers. There has not been any definite response to this request.
With only a couple of months to go until September, the school faces a crisis and it is unacceptable that the young children of the area should be subjected to such conditions. I am aware that sanction has been given for a new school but it may be several years before this comes to fruition. What is the updated position and will the Minister address the points I have raised without delay to ensure that problems will not arise in September?