Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 9 Apr 2009

Vol. 680 No. 2

Adjournment Debate.

Hospital Services.

Deputy John Perry

The issue of cancer care services for the north west will not go away. The HSE has established what it calls a transition team to plan for the removal of cancer care services from Sligo General Hospital, while at the same time oncology professionals in the hospital are refusing to co-operate with the transition proposals. This is a matter of serious concern to the people of the north west and one to which the Minister must give immediate attention.

To anybody who has taken even a most cursory interest in the strategy to transfer cancer services out of Sligo General Hospital, the current position will not come as a surprise. The original decision to propose the transfer of cancer care from Sligo hospital was wrong. It ranks among the worst decisions taken by the Fianna Fáil-led Government and its Minister for Health and Children whose legacy as a public representative it will tarnish.

The strategy being implemented means there will be no comprehensive cancer care service north of a line extending from Galway to Dublin. Equity of access cannot be delivered by ignoring geography. It is unacceptable to the people of the region that the present strategy ignores the breast cancer care needs of the population north of this line.

The case for transferring cancer care services from hospitals with a small workload does not apply to Sligo, as the facts show. It is validated, for instance, by the current volume of breast cancer cases treated at the hospital. Sligo General Hospital expects to report more than 110 new breast cancer cases and more than 90 breast cancer surgical procedures in 2009. The hospital has a dedicated clinical team with top class breast cancer expertise. The results prove the hospital is already achieving outcomes to match world class standards. The argument for closing down cancer care centres with a small caseload clearly does not apply to Sligo hospital. This is an important issue for Sligo and a huge protest is planned in the town tomorrow.

Since the strategy was first announced, I have called on the Minister to provide specific scientific references to justify the transfer of cancer care services from Sligo. On each occasion I have issued this call, she has referred me to a list of articles on the Internet. This is not acceptable. The Minister cannot provide precise scientific references to justify the removal of cancer care services from Sligo hospital because such references do not exist.

The people of the region are completely opposed to the proposed transfer. Several weeks ago I personally delivered, on behalf of the team doing effective work on the issue, a petition of 50,000 signatures to Government Buildings, providing clear evidence of the outrage felt by people in the region. Since the announcement of the strategy to consolidate cancer care services, I have argued the case for the retention and development of cancer care services at Sligo General Hospital.

The oncology medical personnel are still fully committed to keeping breast cancer services in Sligo. They have also confirmed that they are not, and will not form, part of the transition team. I compliment the medical team at the hospital on its dedication and commitment. This is not a political argument as the medical team has justified the retention of the excellent service it provides. Oncology professionals at Sligo General Hospital are taking practical action to oppose the transfer of cancer care services from the hospital because they believe the development of the present service is the strategy that is in the best interests of patients in the region. Their action has not been initiated lightly, nor is it motivated by professional territorial protection considerations. It is clear to anybody who speaks or listens to the oncology professionals in Sligo that their sole interest is what is in the best interests of the patients. They know an excellent service is being provided in a cost-effective manner by Sligo hospital and that it should be retained. They understand the resources and facilities to ensure patients receive access to the best possible care are already in place in Sligo.

As the Fine Gael TD for the constituency which is impacted most by the proposed transfer of services, I fully support the view that retaining breast cancer services at Sligo hospital is in the best interests of patients and I applaud the oncology professionals on their principled and dedicated commitment and the courageous stance they are taking in not supporting the transition team.

The proposed plan to transfer these services is opposed by the people of this region, as shown in 50,000 signatures delivered to the Taoiseach, by most public representatives and, most important, by the oncology professionals in the hospital and the more than 75 family doctors living in the catchment area of Sligo hospital. I again call on the Government to take decisive action in support of the retention and development of breast cancer services in Sligo hospital.

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Science (Deputy Seán Haughey)

I will be taking this Adjournment matter on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Mary Harney. I welcome the opportunity to set out the current position to the House regarding the restructuring of cancer services, with particular reference to Sligo General Hospital.

Although Ireland's cancer survival rates have been increasing faster than most other countries, they are still lower than those in other OECD countries and we must focus on improving them. The goals of the national cancer control programme are better cancer prevention, detection and survival through a national service based on evidence and best practice. This involves significant realignment of cancer services to move from a fragmented system of care to one which is consistent with international best practice in cancer control. There are eight hospitals in Ireland which have been designated by the HSE as cancer centres, in line with the recommendations of the 2006 cancer control strategy. These eight hospitals will operate within four managed cancer control networks, within which cancer diagnosis and surgery are to be located.

The designation of cancer centres aims to ensure that patients receive the highest quality care while at the same time allowing local access to services, where appropriate. Diagnosis and treatment planning is, or will be, directed and managed by multidisciplinary teams based at the cancer centres, but much of the treatment other than surgery may be delivered in local hospitals. In this context, chemotherapy and support services will continue to be delivered locally.

The HSE has designated University Hospital Galway and the Mid Western Regional Hospital as the two cancer centres in the managed cancer control network for the HSE western region, which includes Sligo. Recognising the particular and unique geographical circumstances applying to Donegal, and on a sole exception basis, an outreach service will also operate from University Hospital Galway to Letterkenny General Hospital.

As the House is aware, Professor Tom Keane was appointed in late 2007 to lead and manage the HSE national cancer control programme. Since then, he has made significant progress in implementing the programme. By the end of 2008, 50% of cancer diagnostic and surgical services were located in the eight designated centres. By the end of this year, 100% of breast cancer services and 80% to 90% of services for other cancers will be located in the designated centres.

The implementation of the national quality assurance standards for symptomatic breast disease is designed to ensure that every woman in Ireland who develops breast cancer has an equal opportunity to be managed in a centre which is capable of delivering the best possible results. While the standards provide that each specialist unit should manage a minimum number of 150 new breast cancer cases per annum, Sligo General Hospital carried out 79 procedures on women with a principal diagnosis of breast cancer in 2007.

Professor Keane met in March with representatives of management and the medical board at Sligo to discuss the transfer, which is expected to take place within the next three months. The necessary planning has the full co-operation of hospital management and the national cancer control programme very much wants to engage with clinicians to plan a smooth transition. This is absolutely in the best interests of patients. Following the meeting between Professor Keane and representatives from Sligo General Hospital in March, a transition team is being set up and University Hospital Galway and Sligo have been asked to nominate representatives for the team. I sincerely hope there will be full participation by clinicians in Sligo.

Medical oncology will continue to be delivered at Sligo General Hospital, as will outpatient radiation oncology clinics. Current arrangements to provide supportive or palliative care will not change. On accommodating breast cancer diagnosis and surgery for Sligo patients in University Hospital Galway, the symptomatic breast unit there has expanded considerably in recent years. Funding was provided in 2008 by the national cancer control programme for additional staff to support the expansion of the service, while funding was also provided for additional pathology equipment and for theatre equipping.

The current volume of breast cancer patients at Sligo has been assessed and can be accommodated in University Hospital Galway. In addition, the roll-out of BreastCheck in Sligo, which commenced in March, will further reduce the numbers of breast cancer patients requiring access to symptomatic breast disease services. It is important to note that the national cancer control programme has at all times stated that the service provided to women in Sligo will not transfer to Galway until it is satisfied that adequate resources are in place and GPs in Sligo will also have the option of referring patients to Dublin.

In conclusion, the Government is committed to making the full range of cancer services available and accessible to cancer patients throughout Ireland in accordance with best international standards. The restructuring of cancer services aims to improve outcomes for all cancer patients, through a national service based on evidence and best practice in Sligo as in all other parts of the country.

Rural Environment Protection Scheme.

Deputy Paul Kehoe

I am delighted to see the Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Deputy Trevor Sargent here and thank him for coming into the House to listen to my plea on behalf of REPS planners in Teagasc. I raised this matter on the Order of Business, along with my colleague Deputy Pádraic McCormack, who also feels very strongly about this issue.

The decision not to extend the contracts of these REPS planners makes absolutely no sense on any level. An arm of Government which has the capacity to generate €3 million net profit, while providing employment for 101 people and a service for which there is demand is to be abandoned. This is against a backdrop of the worst unemployment and economic crisis in living memory. If it were not so serious it would be laughable and if we were discussing this nine days earlier one would be forgiven for believing it was a bad April Fools' joke. Going down the road of axing the jobs of these 101 REPS planners is hugely counterproductive. As a result, the taxpayer will face a bill for social welfare payments and there will be a considerable loss in revenue in terms of income tax, PRSI and levies, not to mention reduced VAT receipts and general spending in their local economies by these individuals and their families.

The option the Minister seems to be against is retaining these 101 people in employment, where there will be no social welfare liability, they will contribute tax and levies to the State finances and they will also generate €3 million towards the funding of Teagasc, thereby allowing it, through its research and development programmes, to contribute to the long-term sustainability of agriculture and its valuable contribution to this economy. I genuinely have difficulty understanding the logic behind this move. Why, in any economy, let alone one where there is a severe need to generate employment, would one even consider axing viable income generating jobs? We have found it difficult to get a clear understanding from the Minister as to what is behind this decision. Is it bureaucracy gone mad under this Government yet again? There is agreement on the need for a recruitment freeze in the public sector, and I strongly believe in this. Thus, it is just about keeping the numbers down, regardless of their ability to contribute. In this instance we have a revenue-generating scheme, yet it appears the Department will not give the green light to contract extensions for these REPS planners. Is this part of a more sinister move on the part of the Minister to put another nail in the coffin of the REP scheme?

Since this issue was first raised, we are now aware of the 17% reduction in payments announced by the Minister in the budget, thereby breaching his contract with 12,000 farmers. Is this what the Minister had in mind all the time? Is the Minister starting a process to dismantle the scheme? Are further cuts on the way next year? Already farmers are considering the viability of remaining in the scheme. I have had contact with farmers in this predicament who must decide if the investment proposed in their REPS plans can now be justified when the Government has already broken its contract once and may do so again. Shame on the Green Party for being part of such a move and for allowing this to happen while it is in Government. The fact that it can call itself a Green Party while its members stand idly by as an environmental protection scheme is cut is truly astonishing.

Aside from the damage caused to the specific REPS programme by the refusal to renew these contracts, it will also be damaging in the long term to the Teagasc organisation as a whole. These people are the primary contact for many of the client farmers and, if they go, a large amount of knowledge and information will be lost to individual farmers and to the organisation in terms of experience and expertise. Teagasc has suffered as a result of recruitment bans in the past, which means that a large number of retirements will fall due in the next four years. To let go the dynamic and motivated members who are the future of the organisation seems to be a retrograde step. I ask the Minister to address this matter urgently, bring clarity to the situation and make a positive move to retain these posts.

My party spokesperson on agriculture, Deputy Michael Creed, received a letter from Professor Gerry Boyle, the director of Teagasc. He said it was not a matter for Teagasc but for the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. I will read his letter for the record.

Acting Chairman (Deputy Charlie O’Connor)

I ask the Deputy to do so quickly.

Deputy Paul Kehoe

I understand the Acting Chairman is from an urban constituency, but this is very important for rural Ireland.

Deputy Trevor Sargent

There are farmers in Dublin South-West. I know some of them.

Deputy Paul Kehoe

Professor Boyle states:

I refer to your letter dated 4th March 2009 concerning issues related to the future delivery of the REPS service provided by Teagasc.

REPS contract staff in Teagasc are given contracts of indefinite service after four continuous years' service in REPS arising from a recommendation of the Labour Court. This has required an agreement between Teagasc and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the Department of Finance that when a contract REPS staff member reaches four years' contract REPS service that Teagasc's approved contract Staff Establishment decreases by one and the approved permanent Staff Establishment increases by one. Teagasc will require an indication from [the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food] that this approach can continue to be taken in the context of the required reductions in staff numbers. Otherwise, Teagasc could not continue to implement the Labour Court's recommendation. Clearly, any decision will also be significantly influenced by the outcome of the Review of Teagasc's future involvement in REPS that is imminently required by the Departments.

REPS planners are highly valued by Teagasc as the staff concerned make a very important financial contribution to the organisation [of more than €3 million] while providing an excellent service to farmer clients. It would be Teagasc's intention to remain significantly involved in REPS and we will be making this clear in the imminent Review that will take place with the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the Department of Finance.

This letter is dated 2 April. For the Minister of State to come into the House this evening——

Deputy Trevor Sargent

The Deputy asked me to come in.

Deputy Paul Kehoe

I do not want the Minister of State to say this is a matter for Teagasc. It is no laughing matter. The Minister of State is a member of the Green Party and I hope he will say that the 101 REPS planners will be retained in their positions. There is currently a process that generates more then €3 million in revenue. In view of the current economic circumstances, this must be saved. It makes no sense to let these people go. I speak on behalf of many rural Deputies, including Deputy McCormack.

Acting Chairman

I do not like to correct the Deputy, but there is a farming community in my constituency. I ask the Deputy not to draw the Chair into discussion.

Deputy Paul Kehoe

I wish the Acting Chairman a happy Easter.

Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Trevor Sargent)

Like all of us, the Deputy has things to learn about Dublin South-West. I am glad to have the opportunity to reply to the Deputy. I thank him for his contribution and I hope it has not eaten into my time, a Chathaoirligh.

Acting Chairman

The Minister of State has five full minutes.

Deputy Trevor Sargent

Go raibh míle maith agat.

Nuair a bhí mé anseo ar maidin chuala mé an Teachta agus an Teachta Pádraic McCormack ag ardú na ceiste. Tá suim agam sa cheist mar tá aithne agam ar roinnt mhaith de lucht pleanála REPS atá ag obair go príobháideach, chomh maith le daoine atá fostaithe ag Teagasc. There is no doubt there are job losses in the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, in accordance — as the Deputy mentioned — with public recruitment policy. Many of these are due to early retirement, but this is not what we are talking about today. I listened with interest to the Deputy's letter from Professor Boyle.

In accordance with the Act establishing Teagasc, responsibility for the provision of education, training and advisory services in agriculture rests with Teagasc itself. To enable it to carry out its work Teagasc receives substantial Exchequer resources each year as well as consent to appoint staff up to a certain ceiling. It is a matter for Teagasc to allocate its financial and staff resources in accordance with its own priorities and in line with Government policy for the development of the sector. I hope the Deputy's raising of this issue will help us to square the circle and ensure that we have proper delivery of Teagasc and Government policy.

I pay tribute to the work Teagasc has done in assisting the implementation of the REP scheme since its launch in 1994. It has actively promoted farmer participation, provided excellent planning and support services and provided specialist and research-based support for the ongoing development of the scheme. Much of the credit for the success of the scheme is due in no small way to the consistently excellent service provided by Teagasc over the years.

Teagasc currently has about 43% of the REPS planning market, the balance being taken up very satisfactorily by private planners. To provide its existing REPS service Teagasc employs a dedicated body of REPS planners comprising 60 planners employed on a permanent basis and 101 on a contract basis. The REPS planners are employed by Teagasc on a self-financing basis; that is, they generate enough income through fees and so on to cover the cost of their own salaries, PRSI and travel costs, as well as the overhead costs for the operation of the scheme. This ensures fair competition with private planners. I emphasise, however, that the planners do not generate a net profit for Teagasc, as has been suggested. The requirement of Teagasc is to ensure that the service provided is fully self-financing.

The contracts of employment of the 101 planners and all other contract staff employed by Teagasc are with Teagasc itself, not my Department. I understand from Teagasc that among the contract planners, 34 contracts will terminate at the end of June 2009, a further 41 will terminate at the end of December 2009 and 26 at the end of June 2010. The ban on recruitment and promotion in the public service announced by the Minister for Finance on 27 March to correct imbalances in the public finances applies to temporary appointments on a fixed-term basis and to the renewal of such contracts. In other words, Teagasc is prevented by Government decision from renewing these contracts. However, those planners, who are able people, are in a position to work on contract either privately or with Teagasc. There is flexibility as part of their employment.

Deputy Paul Kehoe

It will be left up to one body. There will be no competition.

Deputy Trevor Sargent

It will not be one body.

Deputy Paul Kehoe

The private planners can charge what they want.

Acting Chairman

I ask the Minister of State to continue.

Deputy Trevor Sargent

Tempting as it was to interrupt the Deputy, I thought it might be better not to.

This is the whole point. It is not just one body; there is competition out there. Farmers do get a good service because there is——

Deputy Paul Kehoe

There is competition when Teagasc is involved.

Deputy Trevor Sargent

Yes. Teagasc is a strong part of the equation.

Deputy Paul Kehoe

It will be gone in a year's time.

Deputy Trevor Sargent

Not unless the Deputy's party gets into power.

With a view to maintaining the quality and delivery of the overall REPS service and to ensure that REPS planners conform to the highest standards of REPS planning, Teagasc proposes to offer a once-off opportunity to the contract planners to apply to Teagasc to become registered contractors and to provide a REPS planning service on terms and conditions set by Teagasc. I understand discussions on the proposal are ongoing. However, the proposed arrangements will be required to operate on a fully self-financing basis for Teagasc, as mentioned already. Teagasc informs me that the new delivery model for REPS will increase efficiency while retaining quality and ensuring a top class service for farmers. Therefore, there is a definite continuation of work for those planners. Long may it continue.

Deputy Paul Kehoe

The Minister of State should be absolutely ashamed in offering such a response.

Deputy Trevor Sargent

The Deputy is talking up a crisis where there is none.

Labour Court Decision.

Deputy Alan Shatter

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for allowing me to raise this matter. It relates to Ms Margaret Moran, a constituent of mine who has been treated disgracefully by the Department of Education and Science. She was employed in St. Catherine's College of Education for Home Economics, Sion Hill, Blackrock, County Dublin on a part-time casual basis from 1989 to 2000. In 2000 she was appointed to the position of lecturer in a whole-time temporary capacity on a one-year contract, followed by a three-year contract until 2004. In 2004 she was denied a so-called contract of indefinite duration, to which she expected to be entitled. The ground cited for not granting her this contract was the forthcoming closure of the college in 2007. As a consequence, she received a further three one-year contracts until the closure of the college in 2007. She was appointed to the position of acting head of the home economics department of the college in 2004 and was responsible for the successful running of this department during a very difficult wind-down period. Ultimately, she had seven years of continuous service in the college.

Personnel in the Department of Education and Science showed no interest in finding further employment for those employees, including Margaret Moran, who were employed in a whole-time temporary capacity, despite numerous requests and a desire to be employed in the education sector. They were treated badly and discriminated against in the context of the arrangements made for those losing their employment following the closure of the college. Several options were put in place for permanent staff, including redeployment, voluntary early retirement and a voluntary redundancy package consisting of statutory entitlements and an ex gratia lump sum. Ms Moran, however, was offered only statutory redundancy.

With assistance from her union, Ms Moran brought a claim to the Rights Commissioner Service under the Protection of Employees (Fixed Term Work) Act 2003. The first hearing place took place in December 2007. Further adjournments and hearings took place until August 2008 when the Rights Commissioner Service issued its decision that Ms Moran had been treated less fairly than her permanent colleagues and that she should be entitled to the same severance package as those colleagues. Essentially, the conclusion was that she had been discriminated against.

An appeal was lodged by the Department of Education and Science to the Labour Court against the decision of the Rights Commissioner Service. This appeal was finally determined on 10 December 2008. The court concluded that it was satisfied Ms Moran had been discriminated against and that she was entitled to similar terms to those available to permanent employees. The court was further satisfied that the complainant had suffered "inconvenience and expense" in pursuing her complaint and that the value of the severance gratuity to which she was entitled had been "eroded by the passage of time". It made an award of monetary compensation to mark the fact that she had been denied her right to equal treatment. The court expressly directed that the Department offer her the option of a severance gratuity calculated on the basis of six weeks' pay per year of service, inclusive of statutory entitlement, or an immediate pension and lump sum based on actual pensionable service plus purchased nominal service, as applicable, but without an entitlement to added years.

Exactly four months later the decision of the Labour Court on 10 December 2008 to award Ms Moran who gave substantial service in the education sector the compensation and payments to which she was entitled on loss of her job has not been implemented. I asked the Minister about the matter in a parliamentary question on 31 March. His response consisted of a mere two sentences:

My Department, in consultation with the Department of Finance, is currently considering the implementation of the Labour Court determination in this case, including any wider implications of the determination. I hope to be in a position to finalise this consideration shortly.

The Labour Court and the Rights Commissioner Service form part of a structure put in place by the State to facilitate the resolution of labour relations difficulties and ensure those employed in the education sector and other areas are properly treated in their employment and not discriminated against. However, the Department of Education and Science has fought the individual in question through the Rights Commissioner Service and the Labour Court. The latter confirmed the decision of the former and that confirmation occurred four months ago. The life of the individual in question has been put on hold in circumstances in which a substantial payment to which she is entitled is being unlawfully withheld by the State. In the eyes of the Department, she is seen as one individual, only a small cog in a big wheel. However, it has not only a legal but a moral obligation to make the payments to which the Labour Court has determined she is entitled. It is a gross abuse of her civil rights as a citizen of the State that, having used the procedures of the State to seek to have her claims properly adjudicated upon, which process she initiated in December 2007, it has taken one and a quarter years to process her application and have it properly determined.

It is entirely unacceptable that a person who has done the State some service has effectively been abandoned. The reply I received from the Minister on the matter was disgraceful, simply stating he was considering the decision, as was the Department of Finance, and that at some unspecified date, they might or might not abide by the Labour Court's ruling. I demand that they do so and that they do my constituent the courtesy within the next seven days of confirming that they will abide by the ruling and will make the payments to which she is entitled.

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Science (Deputy Seán Haughey)

I am taking this Adjournment matter on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Education and Science, Deputy Batt O'Keeffe.

The House is aware that the Labour Court carries out a most important and valuable function in the State in independently investigating and determining industrial relations disputes and matters pertaining to a range of employment legislation. When the court was established in 1946, its primary functions were to adjudicate in trade disputes and provide a conciliation service. Since then its remit has been expanded to incorporate further functions regarding subsequent legislation in areas such as equality, organisation of working time, national minimum wage, part-time work and fixed-term work. The confidence of the State in the court is borne out by this incremental expansion of its functions over the period in question.

The House will also be aware that determinations impacting on Departments must undergo due process of consideration of their content, including any wider implications that may arise, as well as due process in terms of proper sanctioning procedures where the expenditure of public moneys is concerned. In this case, these processes have been undertaken within the relevant sections of the Department of Education and Science and in consultation with the Department of Finance.

The Deputy will be pleased to learn that these processes have recently concluded and that arrangements will be made by the Department of Education and Science to make the recommended payments as soon as possible. I also put it to the Deputy that the Department has not failed to implement the Labour Court decision and that there has not been any deterioration in public confidence as a result of what he perceives as a delay in the implementation of this award. Moreover, I consider that in the interests of the public good, the Departments concerned are obliged to follow the processes outlined when considering decisions of the Labour Court as indeed are other relevant institutions of the State charged with arbitration or judgment on matters such as this.

The case, which is the subject of Labour Court Determination FTD 0819, arose following the closure in August 2007 of St. Catherine's College of Education for Home Economics, Sion Hill, Blackrock, County Dublin. The claimants in this case were employed in St. Catherine's for differing numbers of years on fixed-term contracts. The contracts had been renewed on a fixed-term basis on the clear objective grounds that the college would cease to operate after 31 August 2007. On closure of the college statutory redundancy was offered to the claimants. The claimants took a case to the Rights Commissioner Service and subsequently to the Labour Court under the Protection of Employees (Fixed Term Work) Act 2003 alleging that their rights had been impinged in that they had been treated less favourably as fixed-term employees than comparable permanent employees in the severance arrangements offered to permanent employees.

The Labour Court found in favour of the claimants and directed that the Department offer them the option of a severance gratuity calculated on the basis of six weeks pay per year of service or an immediate pension and lump sum based on actual pensionable service. The court further directed that the Department pay a sum of compensation to the claimants. The Department will take cognisance of this important decision in the context of its future operations. I am pleased to say that this issue has now gone through due process and will be concluded in the near future.

Deputy Alan Shatter

I thank the Minister of State for his constructive response. It is regrettable I was required to table a parliamentary question and to raise this matter on the Adjournment to get a reply. Perhaps the Minister will write to me in regard to exactly when the funds to which both individuals who were the subject of this decision and, in particular, my constituent, will be paid.

Schools Building Projects.

Deputy Joe Costello

This issue is virtually an old chestnut given it has been ongoing for more than 13 years, which is a considerable time. The gaelscoil was established in temporary quarters in 1996. While the current Administration has been, in one form another, in office since then nothing has happened. Some 13 years later we are no nearer obtaining a permanent structure for the school. The Celtic tiger has come and gone and we have nothing to show for it. The former Taoiseach, Deputy Bertie Ahern, despite making various promises when in the constituency, did not deliver on the project.

In the meantime, the children, staff and parents must operate in appalling conditions. As long ago as 2000, some nine years ago, a district inspector for the Department of Education and Science noted "the deplorable state of the temporary accommodation makes it imperative that the planning process be initiated as soon as possible". Despite that this statement was made nearly a decade ago, the same appalling conditions prevail. The prefabs are leaking and smelly and children cannot and will not use the school toilets. They are too hot in the summer, too cold in the winter and wet all of the time. The accommodation is a totally unsuitable and unhygienic environment in which to teach children.

There has been a constant long-fingering of the provision of a permanent site. The OPW searched for years for a suitable site but never found one. The matter then fell between the cracks in the Department of Education and Science and was lost for four years, which the Department has admitted. Finally, with considerable effort on the part of the campaign group for a permanent structure, some light has appeared at the end of the tunnel. The Department of Education and Science has decided to build on the existing site. Negotiations in this regard have taken place with Dublin City Council and St. Finbar's GAA club, which owns the lease on the site, with a view to the putting in place of a new lease that would allow for a portion of the land to be transferred to the school for the purpose of constructing a new school building.

At what stage is the process in terms of the transfer of the lease? When will acquisition of the site be concluded and when will the Department revert to the city council with an application for decision on the matter? At what stage are plans for construction of the school? I believe they should be fast-tracked bearing in mind the Department's negligence over a considerable period in terms of construction of a school.

On Tuesday, a substantial cut in the capital budget was announced in respect of the construction of primary and second level schools. I wonder if this will impact on the construction of this new school. Perhaps the Minister of State will provide me with an update on the current position, with the absolute expectancy that there will be no further delays, that the site will be acquired, funding will be put in place, planning will be completed and that the school will be built.

Deputy Seán Haughey

I take this Adjournment matter on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Education and Science, Deputy Batt O'Keeffe. I thank Deputy Costello for raising this matter as it provides me with the opportunity to outline to the House the Government's strategy for capital investment in education projects and to outline the current position on the future plans for Gaelscoil Bharra, Cabra.

Modernising facilities in our existing building stock as well as the need to respond to emerging needs in areas of rapid population growth is a significant challenge, one which the Minister for Education and Science intends will be one of his priorities. The Government has dramatically increased capital investment in the school building programme to an unprecedented level, thus reflecting its commitment to continue its programme of sustained investment in primary and post-primary schools. It will underpin a particular emphasis on the delivery of additional school places in rapidly developing areas while continuing to develop on this Government's commitment to delivering improvements in the quality of existing primary and post-primary accommodation throughout the country.

The Deputy will be aware the Office of Public Works, OPW, which acts on behalf of the Department in site acquisitions generally, was requested to source a greenfield site for this gaelscoil. On foot of advertising, no proposals were received for a greenfield site in the Cabra area. As a result the issue of providing a permanent school on the existing temporary site then came into focus. To pursue this further, meetings have taken place between the Department and Dublin City Council regarding the potential availability of this site. The Department has written to the council with a proposal suggesting that a lease arrangement be put in place.

Officials from the Department have met officials from the city council and representatives of the GAA club to discuss the possibility of entering into a lease arrangement with the city council. Such an arrangement would, in time, require the GAA club to surrender its interest in some of the lands required for the building project. More recently, departmental officials met representatives of Naomh Fionnbarra GAA club separately on 18 February 2009 to discuss three potential design options that would allow for the provision of an eight-classroom school on the site. The club responded by way of letter on 2 March 2009 indicating its preferred design option, based on the options presented by the Department, and highlighting the need for car parking arrangements for its members and the school's teaching staff to be addressed.

On foot of this, the Department subsequently wrote to Dublin City Council to advise it of the design option favoured by the GAA club and to ask the council to consider a technical assessment of the site, incorporating the views of the GAA club. A response is awaited. I suggest that the Deputy might be acquainted with a member of Dublin City Council who might be able to pursue this matter at that level.

Deputy Joe Costello

I thank the Minister of State for his advice.

Deputy Seán Haughey

The further progression of the acquisition of this site and the accompanying building project will be considered in the context of the capital budget that is available to the Department for school buildings in general. I thank the Deputy again for giving me an opportunity to outline to the House the current position in respect of the future plans for Gaelscoil Bharra in Cabra. I will conclude by wishing the Acting Chairman, Deputy O'Connor, as well as Deputy Costello and the staff of the Houses, a very happy Easter.

Deputy Joe Costello

Likewise.

Acting Chairman

I would like to be associated with those greetings. I wish everybody a happy Easter.

The Dáil adjourned at 5.30 p.m. until 2.30 p.m. on Wednesday, 22 April 2009.