I welcome the opportunity to address this important issue. Recently I was approached by the board of management of Scoil Naomh Pádraig in Corracrin about an application it had made four years ago for a grant to extend the school. The application was made in conjunction with the planning officials in Monaghan County Council. They discussed the issue with teachers in the school to decide how to cater for the increase in numbers in the school in years to come. The decision to apply for the grant reflected the policy of the county council because it had granted planning permission for the Emyvale area council housing schemes. In Emyvale, 18 new houses will be ready at the end of May and in two years, another 26 houses will be built in the area. Private dwellings will also be built in the area.
In the last census we saw an increase of 17% in the population of Emyvale. A village that is thriving is a rare phenomenon in a rural area. The community is moving up and we should help them. Good schools and infrastructure are necessary if the local community is to thrive.
The board of management felt that it had been promised by the Department in March that the extension would soon be under way. Plans were at the pre-tender stage and the board was informed that building would be under way by now. Board members feel badly let down. They understand it will be a further three years before the situation is re-examined.
The board of management believes there are many things acting in favour of the school. It has a site that it will be able to develop and there is no need to purchase land. There is a good transport network to bring children to school and the community is growing. The extension is at pre-tender stage so the board feels it will only take some gentle persuasion to get building under way.
The school has over 200 pupils, nine of whom are non-national and three of whom have special needs. It has a much needed pre-school facility. If the extension is not built, the principal believes he will have no alternative but to put as many as 44 children into one classroom. That is not conducive to a good learning environment. I ask the Minister for Education to bring forward the programme and go ahead with the building. It is much needed and would be appreciated by the students in Scoil Naomh Pádraig and their parents.
