The Minister will be aware that it is a few years since a decision was taken to reorganise the educational facilities for second level students in the Kilrush area. At present second level students must attend three buildings in Kilrush — the convent secondary school, the old vocational school and the site of the new school. Last summer some work was done reconstructing the existing building. It is intended that a new construction will be put in place this year which will totally reorganise the facilities on that site. Primary school children who attended that school have been moved to another site. Second level students will attend the one facility.
There is much frustration among parents and teachers because of the delay in having the work completed satisfactorily. Last year they were prepared to allow phase one to take place after which the major construction would be put in place this year. However, there is now concern about the work which has been done on the building. Management, parents and teachers are gravely disappointed at the layout and the changes which have been made. They would like the opportunity to discuss it with an official at the Department. Their main anxiety is that funding may not be provided this year to finish the work.
Before allocations are made by the Minister, I would like to highlight the urgency of the problem, the necessity to complete the project, the desirability of having all the students under the one roof and the need to resolve something which has been in the pipeline for such a long period. Kilrush is a thriving and developing town and the school serves an area which has been severely hit by unemployment. It is, therefore, essential that the best possible facilities are in place for young students. The situation at present places students at a severe disadvantage, particularly in view of the reconstruction work and disruption on the site. I appeal to the Minister to provide funding for Kilrush this year and to see if some remedial works, which would be additional to what was approved, can be carried out.
