I wish to speak about the refurbishment of two schools in my constituency. The schools concerned are St. Killian's junior and senior schools in Kingswood, Tallaght. It is a very long saga. Successive Governments have failed to respond since 1986 to urgent requirements for refurbishment and facilities. All the work has been done by the local community. The professional fees have been paid. The local charge of £25,000 has been raised and as long ago as 21 February 2002, the Minister told the House:
A project to extend and refurbish the schools referred to by the Deputy is included as part of the Government's programme and is currently in architectural planning. The project will continue to the invitation of tenders as soon as possible under the expanded building programme.
For some reason that has not happened. The tender is on the Minister's desk waiting for sanction. The shape and condition of these schools is very poor indeed. There is fear that if this work is not sanctioned in advance of the general election, it will not be sanctioned. As this is a marginal constituency, there is a reasonable expectation that it will be done, but it would be great comfort if the Minister would confirm that.
The senior school was built in 1986 and has classrooms only. There is no hall and there are no specialist facilities. The junior school was built in 1979 and is in a sad state of disrepair. The entire roof, which is made of asbestos, needs to be completely replaced. There are few gutters remaining on the buildings due to vandalism. All guttering and windows need to be replaced and the entire building needs to be rewired. The senior school requires a general purposes room, servery, equipment store, library, resource area and storage, a multipurpose room, a general office, a principal's office, WC and shower facility suitable for disabled use and general utility storage. The entire building requires suitable perimeter fencing to provide security from vandalism.
This is a hugely populous area that has lost out for historical reasons, that I will not discuss now, in having a second level school provided. All the children from this hugely populous area are shipped out of the estates concerned and the primary schools are the only facilities providing education. To have them in the sad state of disrepair and so deprived of basic facilities in 2002 is scarcely acceptable. The architectural work is done. The tender is on the Minister's desk. Why is it not being approved? Will there be a deluge of such tenders in the next few weeks? If so, I hope this one will be included. I would be obliged to the Minister if he would confirm that to me tonight and I will pass on the information without fear or favour or in any partisan fashion to all the local parents who are so distressed.
