I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle for giving me the opportunity to raise this very important matter. What are the prospects, if any, for the numerous schools which have made applications for new school buildings and refurbishment of old buildings? The same old story applies to each one. I put down three parliamentary questions today for written reply concerning three other schools in my constituency. I am sure that each reply will be identical to the reply the Minister will give tonight because the wording of each was identical. That is not on. The people concerned are very fed up.
Summercove national school in Kinsale is in a very bad condition. The board of management made a request for a new school to be built about eight years ago and nothing has been done to tackle the problems. The school has 164 pupils. The yard and outdoor facilities are seriously substandard. This yard can only cope with about 40 pupils, not 164. One of the prefabs has no toilet facilities. There are potentially dangerous overhead power lines. There are no fire doors, fire escapes, smoke alarms, fire alarms or burglar alarms. The floor is in a very unsafe condition. None of the classrooms has two exits. There is evidence of vermin in the school. There are rotting windows, doors and fascias and evidence of damp, mildew and woodworm. Toilet facilities for staff and pupils are inadequate and there are no toilets for disabled persons. Hand washing and drying facilities are also inadequate and there is no hot or cold water. There is no principal's office, no staff room, no medical room, no library, no multi-purpose room or computer room.
