I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach for allowing me to raise this matter and I welcome the Minister of State. Yet again, we must submit a request for an Adjournment debate on the situation pertaining to Ballygarvan national school in Cork. As the Minister of State is aware, this school has been promised for quite some time. It seems almost a generation ago since the school was promised when Deputy Micheál Martin was the Minister for Education and Science. It goes back that far. Thankfully, the population of the school has been growing exponentially every year. It is now bursting at the seams with almost 300 pupils and has a full enrolment or coterie of students for the coming school year in September, a tribute to the teachers, principal and the board of management of the school.
However, several issues of concern arise. There is a series of prefabs and a dilapidated old building used to house students. This results in a curtailment of games in the open space and the play area and activities are now minimal. Also, education is taking place in poor conditions that are considered unacceptable in Ireland in the 21st century. Movement has taken place, a fact I accept readily and the process remains to be completed and finalised.
Outstanding issues remain to be answered and addressed regarding when works will commence on the new school. I realise it is at the architectural stage and there are various stages of the process. Will it be completed by September 2010 for the new students entering at the start of the new school year? The pupils, parents, teachers, principal and the board of management deserve a modern facility. This developing area in Carrigaline, Cork is considered a priority, as stated in a response by the Minister of State's Department during an Adjournment debate last year.
As part of the political process, we have taken a decision with the Department of Education and Science to replace and put in place a new, modern expanded school, but a question remains to be answered. When will this new school be completed? When will the new school be fit for habitation and for education? When will we see students and teachers sitting and working in a new classroom and school campus?
The Government refers to capital investment, but the capital investment has been agreed in this case. Is the money that was allocated some time ago guaranteed for this school? There is a need to respond quickly to the legitimate concerns of parents and teachers with regard to this school. I recognise the complexity of the site and the fact that it comprises various parcels of land, and that this may have added to the difficulties. Have the difficulties between the school and the patron, the Bishop of Cork and Ross, been ironed out? I understand the planning application process has commenced but some difficulty remains. I cannot comprehend why the local authority would seek further information and ask further questions at this stage. This is a project of absolute importance for the community.
The case of Ballygarvan national school reveals a failure of joined-up thinking. The community of Ballygarvan has grown substantially but the road network and facilities such as schools and playgrounds have not matched or grown in tandem. When will the school be fit for habitation and work? What is the position in respect of the reply to requests for further information made during the planning process?
The Minister for Education and Science, Deputy Batt O'Keeffe, announced to much fanfare that Ballygarvan would be part of the new schools development project. We must see action in the short term to allow this to take place and for the expanding school to develop. There is an onus on the Department to fast-track Ballygarvan national school. It has been promised for a generation of students. The teachers, principal, board or management, parents and pupils are suffering from the absence of development of this school. It must be of absolute importance and priority. It is not good enough for an area with developing and emerging needs and a very sizable population to be waiting for a school. I look forward to the Minister's reply which, I trust, will be positive.
