Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 17 Nov 2009

Vol. 694 No. 4

Adjournment Debate.

Flood Relief.

Deputy Deirdre Clune

On Wednesday 11 November, there was severe flooding in areas of Cork, such as Togher, Rochestown, Passage West, Glenbrook, Monkstown, Carrigaline and Ballygarvan. There was damage to housing, public property, roads and an alarming situation materialised in Glenbrook, when a stream burst it banks, the water running down a road and sweeping 12 cars with it. They literally flowed down the hill. It was a highly dangerous situation where someone could have been injured or killed. Fortunately, no one was, one of the better notes of the disastrous situation that happened last week in the area.

I have looked at the OPW website and there was similar flooding in the Cork region in November 2002 and October 2004. On both those occasions, there was heavy rain, of the order of 40 millimetres. Last week the Met Office reported rainfall of up to 19 millimetres. On both the previous occasions there was also a high tide. This time we did not have a high tide, it was about 6 p.m. and a high tide was not due until midnight. It is important to acknowledge that the cause of the severe flooding was totally land-related. There have been reports of gullies not being cleaned and capacity problems in the infrastructure.

People want to know now what steps will be taken by Cork County Council and the OPW to compensate those people whose property was damaged. We need to know in the Cork region the cause of the problem and what must be done to ensure it will not occur again. Looking back at the previous reports on flooding on the area, they refer to a lack of capacity but we need a full, in-depth report on what is going wrong and why these areas are susceptible to such severe flooding.

The Minister of State, Deputy Mansergh, launched a flood risk report in Cork earlier this year and he said he was sure the people of Cork would consider it entirely appropriate they set a standard for the country. The standard set last Wednesday night was not one that should be reflected across the country.

Deputy Simon Coveney

I hope the Minister of State has some good news for us this evening. A number of families in my constituency and in Deputy Clune's constituency are still clearing muck out of their living rooms and kitchens following flash floods last week because of exceptional weather conditions and which, in some cases, simply washed away road infrastructure, as happened out towards Minane Bridge, south of Carrigaline.

There are plenty of precedents where the OPW has made emergency funding available to compensate people and assist them to put basic infrastructure in place to ensure this will not happen again if we get similar torrential rainfall. A total of 19 millimetres fell during a three hour period, the floods were nothing to do with the tides, which are often a problem in the harbour area in Cork, this was pure water volume flowing out of fields on to roads and over blocked gullies, and there is a responsibility on the part of the local authority to rectify the situation, which it is starting to do.

There is also a responsibility on the OPW to put in place basic compensation for people in some cases for damage that insurance simply does not cover. In Glenbrook, seven or eight cars literally flowed down the street because of a mud slide, with much of that mud flowing into people's gardens and houses. Those people need help and even in tough financial times we are not talking about huge amounts of money.

It is important that the OPW recognises, as it has done in the past in the Carrigaline area, that when there are extreme weather conditions, when the infrastructure simply cannot deal with them and when there is significant damage as a result, it should step in and not only carry out a survey so we know what caused the problem and try to rectify it, but that in the immediate term it should give people some redress or some compensation.

Minister of State at the Department of the Health and Children (Deputy Áine Brady)

In the absence of the Minister of State, Deputy Mansergh, who must travel to a Council meeting in Brussels, I thank the Deputies for giving me an opportunity to come into the House to discuss the serious flooding in the Cork area in the past week.

Locations in a number of counties have been affected by serious flood events in recent weeks and the impact on the communities in the Carrigaline, Rochestown, Glenbrook and Minane Bridge areas of County Cork was severe. Having previously visited locations where extreme flood events occurred, the Minister of State is aware of the devastation and hardship caused by flooding. He is pleased to have the opportunity to place on the record of the House his personal sympathy and concern and that of the Government for those affected by flooding. It is only by seeing such events at first hand that it is possible to get a full sense of the hardship and worry that flooding causes.

Responsibility for the maintenance and repair of the local road infrastructure primarily rests with Cork County Council. The role of the Office of Public Works is to work with local authorities and other State bodies to reduce the risk of future flooding both through the provision of defences to best practise standards and by taking steps to mitigate or reduce future risk of flooding.

In this regard, the OPW and Cork City and County Councils jointly initiated a major study in 2006 to assess the degree of flood risk in the Lee catchment and the possible measures for the management of that risk. This study, which is the pilot for a national programme, is now nearing completion. Flood maps for the areas known or considered to be at risk have been produced and are publicly available through the project website. A draft flood risk management plan setting out measures for managing flood risk in the Lee catchment will be made available for public consultation in the near future.

In a parallel exercise, a screening process is currently underway to identify other areas of County Cork, and indeed nationally, where the flood risk may be significant. This exercise includes a review of past floods, and the recent flooding in Cork will be taken into account to help the identification of high risk areas and solutions.

The areas where flood risk is considered significant on the basis of the screening exercise will, under a major national programme, then be subject to more detailed analysis, including the preparation flood maps and development of a plan of mitigation measures such as those that are being prepared for the Lee catchment. This programme was initiated on foot of national flood policy but it will enable the State to meet the requirements of the EU floods directive that came into force in 2007. The OPW, in partnership with other State bodies is implementing a range of initiatives to reduce future flood risk including the production, in partnership with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government of guidelines for consideration of flood risk in planning development and management. Pending the formalisation of a detailed flood risk management plan on foot of the screening exercise and studies being undertaken by the OPW, the Minister of State recognises and accepts that there is need to address immediate localised flood problems in the Cork area. To this end, under an initiative announced recently, the OPW may provide financial and technical assistance to local authorities to carry out studies or works to address small-scale flood problems, subject to specific economic and environmental criteria. Already in 2009, €31,500 has been allocated for minor flood mitigation projects in County Cork. Further applications for funding will be considered by the OPW, subject to availability of resources.

Prior to possible submission of applications for additional funding for minor flood relief measures, Cork County Council has begun an analysis of the flooding in those parts of the county most affected by the flooding that occurred last week. The OPW has been in contact with the county council, and has carried out an initial inspection of the area. It is expected that the council will complete a detailed report on the flooding shortly.

Once the report from Cork County Council becomes available, OPW officials will meet the local authority's engineers. If the report indicates that measures are possible to reduce future risk of flooding, and provided these are acceptable on economic and environmental grounds, the Minister of State, Deputy Mansergh will endeavour to ensure that funding will be available to allow works to proceed at an early stage.

The Minister of State is conscious that in addition to the trauma caused by the flooding, people may also have suffered financial loss arising from damage caused to their property. Householders should, where applicable, consult their insurers in the first instance on property repairs.

The Department of Social and Family Affairs has responsibility for providing humanitarian assistance where it is considered appropriate. Assistance may be available through the community welfare officer network to victims of the recent flooding. Where people have suffered hardship, they should contact the local community welfare officer for assistance, and each case will be dealt with confidentially and on its merits. Recent humanitarian assistance schemes have not extended to cover business or agriculture. Local community welfare officers are available to provide assistance on an individual basis where that is warranted.

Deputy Mansergh asked me to assure the House that the Office of Public Works will continue to work in partnership with Cork County Council to try to alleviate the risk of future flooding in the areas affected.

I again express my sympathy and that of the Minister of State to those affected by the flooding, assuring them of the Government's support for the efforts that are under way to address future flood risk in the Cork area.

Hospital Services.

Deputy Damien English

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for allowing me to raise this difficult situation at Navan hospital — which I believe is being replicated in many hospitals around the country — on the Adjournment.

It has been very difficult to get answers on this question. I have tabled parliamentary questions, concerning which I believe the relevant information has been gathered, but I have not got the answers yet. Many weeks have gone by, I have tried to meet the relevant HSE officials and the matter has been raised with the Minister, and still I have not received answers. I do not understand why this service should have been withdrawn from Navan hospital. I accept that difficulties have arisen in other hospitals around the country, although many of these are being addressed and their services will be retained. However, Navan hospital has been singled out for positive comment on its embalming services in the recent Willis report and retained organs audit, which dealt, inter alia, with facilities within hospitals for bereaved families and the provision of bereavement services. I am baffled as to why this service is being withdrawn, and I am very concerned.

It will cause enormous difficulty and great distress to the families of the deceased. It also indicates a total lack of dignity and respect towards loved ones who pass away. It is a shame on us, in this day and age. Many funeral directors will be affected who do not have embalming services. This is a very important issue and I am disappointed that the Government and the HSE, at a time of so many problems, apparently try to create more. This is not necessary and can be prevented. If the HSE has any difficulty with the services at Navan, which have been positively commented on, this should be discussed, so that any changes that might be needed can be implemented. As matters stand, it is wrong and will greatly affect families in three different ways. It will cause unnecessary delay, perhaps a day or two, in the release of remains for burial, and that will give rise to great distress and inconvenience for families. The Government should not add to the distress of families who have lost loved ones.

It will also increase burial costs — including embalming costs to prepare remains for burial. This is another unnecessary cost for families because funerals already cost a fortune. Then there is the lack of dignity towards the remains entailed in the removal of embalming services from the hospital. It will mean the unnecessary transportation of dead bodies around the county for embalming purposes, and basically this is not right. What happens in the case of a death due to C. diff.? Is it not better to have the post-mortem on the body of the deceased and embalming on site so that the remains are sterilised and the threat of C. diff. being passed on is eliminated?

Surely it is common sense to have these services all in the one place, where possible. It is unclear why the HSE wants to withdraw the services. I am very disappointed at the total lack of communication on this subject. Will the Minister try to ensure that this service is restored? Its removal is wrong. Why was the embalming service at Our Lady's Hospital, Navan, stopped, since such an initiative is not indicated in the report and why was it stopped without prior notification to the funeral directors?

The review of bereavement service practices in the Willis report identified many weaknesses in embalming services within hospitals around the country. However, Our Lady's Hospital, Navan, was one of only five in Ireland which complied with the Willis recommendations. As such, it was singled out for good positive comment. It was even mentioned in press statements and so on, afterwards. The service at Our Lady's Hospital was carried out by a fully qualified embalmer, with appropriate insurance cover. Stopping this service will cause significant delays in funeral arrangements and add extra distress to bereaved families as remains have to be transferred from the public morgue into a preparation facility, and then brought back to the morgue again.

I want this service restored. The people of Navan and County Meath want this service restored. There is no reason for not having it. There is no cost to the HSE. Procedures and systems might have to be changed, which can be done. That is what management is about, there is no real explanation for this and it is totally unfair and unnecessary. The Wallis report I am quoting from, incidentally, included a detailed investigation into the question of and audit of retained organs. It recommends a great many changes. I accept the Minister of State is not in a position to address that now, but I should like a guarantee from her that the changes recommended in this report will be implemented, because many parents have suffered greatly from the scandals of the retained organs. This report, if acted upon, would prevent that. I ask the Minister of State to ensure that the Navan hospital embalming service is restored and that the recommendations of this report are adhered to as well.

Deputy Áine Brady

I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. I respond on behalf of the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney. One of the recommendations of the Madden report on post-mortem practices and procedures was that an independent audit of retained organs in the State be undertaken. The report of this audit, which was undertaken by Michaela Willis, was published and made publicly available by the HSE in July.

The Willis audit recommended that service level agreements be put in place with external operators who use hospital premises for embalming procedures to ensure that quality, safety and performance levels are clearly defined.

On foot of this recommendation, the HSE wrote to its hospital network managers on 16 July 2009 setting out new arrangements for embalming at hospitals. It should be noted that embalming is not a service provided or funded by the HSE. It is a service provided by commercial entities, such as funeral directors, under contract with recently bereaved families who choose this service. This does not affect mortuary services provided by hospitals, such as the removal of the remains of a deceased patient. It should also be noted that embalming is a separate and distinct service, which is not part of the procedures followed by mortuaries when preparing the bodies of deceased persons following their death. Embalming is an additional option which is chosen by some families for their deceased loved ones and is therefore provided on a commercial basis.

The memorandum issued to hospital network managers advised that staff in hospitals operated or funded by the HSE are contracted to provide safe and high quality care to patients and their families and that individual staff members should not enter into contracts with commercial entities to provide additional services while in the direct employ of the HSE or in the employ of hospitals funded by the HSE.

Under the new arrangements for embalming in hospitals, the HSE now requires that standard controls are put in place in those hospitals the facilities of which are being used for embalming purposes by undertakers or funeral directors. Each hospital wishing to continue to facilitate an embalming service must develop a service level agreement with each commercial entity that wishes to use a hospital's facilities for embalming purposes. This is in line with good governance.

Deputy Damien English

Navan hospital had such a good governance policy in place. The Minister of State has not answered my question as to the reason the service was removed from a hospital that is quite capable of performing it.

Acting Chairman (Deputy Brian O’Shea)

The Minister of State, without interruption.

Deputy Damien English

A total of 80% of hospitals will retain this service.

Acting Chairman

The Minister of State, without interruption.

Deputy Áine Brady

Having regard to the new requirements, it is a matter for each hospital to decide whether it will enter into a service level agreement with undertakers or other external entities for the provision of embalming services. I understand that Our Lady's Hospital, Navan, has recently decided to discontinue its present arrangements for embalming services. However, it will of course continue to provide all appropriate mortuary services for deceased patients in the normal way.

Water and Sewerage Schemes.

Deputy Michael McGrath

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for providing me with the opportunity to raise this important issue. It is closely related to the first Adjournment matter raised this evening by my constituency colleagues, Deputies Coveney and Clune in respect of the serious flooding incidents in parts of our constituency last Wednesday evening. I believe the lack of the Cork lower harbour sewerage scheme was a contributory factor in the flooding incidents that occurred last week in areas including Glenbrook, Passage West, Monkstown, Rochestown, Carrigaline and the Minane Bridge area. I witnessed at first hand the devastation that occurred to a number of homes, particularly in Glenbrook, which was highlighted on the RTE News last week. An extremely serious incident occurred that could have had far more serious consequences involving serious injury or even the loss of human life but which thankfully did not occur. Even in Carrigaline, my constituency office was flooded although the consequences were quite minor, in that a new carpet must be put down. However, the devastation of people's homes is an altogether more serious matter and I hope Members can give every possible assistance to those who are affected and towards ensuring this does not happen again. In this regard, the Minister of State, Deputy Mansergh, has responded quite swiftly and I spoke to him a number of times last week following the incident. Cork County Council has now been encouraged to submit an application for funding as soon as possible which will be given favourable consideration by the Office of Public Works, which already has been on-site at the worst affected areas.

This brings me to the purpose of the Adjournment matter I have tabled. In 2004, Cork City Council completed the main drainage scheme for Cork city and suburbs including the Douglas area. This brought enormous environmental benefits to the Cork city region. In respect of the River Lee for example, people now swim there again, fish stocks have re-emerged and the amenity use of the river has greatly improved because of the completion of the main drainage scheme there in 2004. The purpose of this motion is to seek to accelerate a comparable scheme for the county area of my constituency. This scheme is called the Cork lower harbour main drainage scheme and at present is going through the lengthy process involved in getting an infrastructural project of this scale up and running. However, it is of critical importance for the area I represent to have this scheme implemented as soon as possible. For example, approximately 1 billion gallons of untreated foul sewage is simply discharged into the lower harbour every year with enormous environmental consequences. This highlights the urgent need for this issue to be addressed. The scheme would cover the areas of Carrigaline, Crosshaven, Passage West, Monkstown, Shanbally, Ringaskiddy and the wider lower harbour area. Its implementation would bring significant environmental benefits, as well as leisure benefits for the use of the lower harbour area. It is essential to proceed with this project as soon as possible.

In addition, not only is the lack of the main drainage scheme in the harbour area a possible contributory factor in the case of flooding, it also has been put forward as a reason for not proceeding with major road improvement works that are required. For example, in the town of Carrigaline where I live, the main street is a shambles. It is in appalling condition but for many years, the council has cited the forthcoming or planned main drainage scheme as a reason for not carrying out major works on the roads. Given that this scheme has been in the pipeline for several years and may not happen for some time yet, it is unfair to use it as a reason for not investing in improved road infrastructure in that area. In addition, in Carrigaline and elsewhere in the lower harbour area, there is a highly inadequate drainage system as a result because a combined surface water and foul sewer system is in place rather than the separate systems that are required.

I acknowledge this is a major scheme which is going through the process. An Bord Pleanála has approved the environmental impact statement for the waste water treatment plant in Ringaskiddy. It was approved last summer and the preliminary report has been submitted by the council to the Department. Some comments have come back and I understand the council intends to submit a revised report to the Department before Christmas. I understand that in excess of €70 million will be required from the Department's water services investment programme and this evening I seek confirmation that this funding is available to proceed with the scheme in the shortest possible timeframe, that the council will be encouraged to prioritise this project and that the Department will treat it with the seriousness it deserves once the revised report comes before it, in order that this drainage scheme can be implemented.

Deputy Áine Brady

I will be taking this Adjournment matter on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Gormley. I thank Deputy Michael McGrath for raising this important issue. The Cork lower harbour sewerage scheme is included for funding in the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government's Water Services Investment Programme 2007-2009, at a current estimated cost of almost €92 million. The proposed scheme involves the upgrading of the existing sewerage networks in the main population centres of Carrigaline, Cobh, Crosshaven, Monkstown, Passage West and Ringaskiddy in the lower harbour area and their connection to a new waste water treatment plant to be built at Shanbally, north east of Carrigaline. Cork County Council is currently reviewing the preliminary report for the lower harbour scheme and expects to submit revised proposals to the Department shortly.

The length of time it takes to advance a water or sewerage scheme to completion largely depends on the nature and complexity of the scheme and the statutory processes involved. The Department's involvement at individual stages of schemes in the water services investment programme can vary from two to four occasions, depending on the value of the scheme. It approves the local authority's design brief and preliminary report for all schemes and in some instances it also approves the contract documents. In the case of public private partnership contracts, the Department additionally approves the local authority's tender recommendation. Its involvement at key stages is necessary to comply with the Department of Finance capital appraisal guidelines and the Department's own obligations relating to management and oversight of Exchequer expenditure.

Local authorities have responsibility for all other aspects of a scheme, including appointment of consultants, statutory planning and other processes, site investigations, acquisition of lands and way leaves, tendering processes, appointment of contractors and carrying out of works. The time taken to advance a scheme will depend largely on how quickly these processes are completed.

The priority to be accorded to schemes in Cork County is a matter, in the first instance, for Cork County Council. In July 2009, local authorities were asked to submit an assessment of needs for water and sewerage services in their areas to the Department by 23 October last. The Department has just begun its consideration of these assessments, which will form a key input to the development of the 2010-12 water services investment programme. In conducting their assessments, local authorities were asked to prioritise schemes and contracts for progression over the coming years based on key environmental and economic criteria. Cork County Council will shortly submit its needs assessment return to the Department.

The 2010-12 programme is a three-year rolling plan for the provision of major water supply and waste water infrastructure. Strategic environmental and economic objectives have provided the rationale for investment in water services infrastructure since 2000. With the changed economic climate and the completion of the first cycle of river basin management plans by local authorities in the near future, there is a greater need than ever to focus on these key priorities. The 2010-12 programme will do this by prioritising projects that target public health and environmental compliance issues, support economic and employment growth, and offer best value for money.

The Department expects to publish the 2010-12 water services investment programme in early 2010. I assure the Deputy that the Department will work closely with Cork County Council to advance priority schemes identified in the programme.

Schools Building Projects.

Deputy Mattie McGrath

It is not with any great pleasure that I rise here tonight to state some facts about the ongoing unsatisfactory situation regarding the proposed amalgamation of Cahir boys' national school and Our Lady of Mercy national school in my town, Cahir. This has been continuing for more than ten years. In 2002 a technical report was put forward for the amalgamation of these schools. In April 2004 all parties approved a further technical report and amalgamation process. I pay tribute to the Sisters of Mercy in Our Lady of Mercy primary school and Cahir boys' national school for the education they have given to many generations in Cahir.

The amalgamation schedule was approved and agreed and the boards of management of both schools agreed to put a special needs unit on the site. Everybody was pleased with this and hoped for progress. Since then two principals have retired and I wish them a happy retirement and the very best to their replacements. The least I can do for the people of south Tipperary, who elected me is to be honest, and I expect the same from the officials whom I meet here in Dublin.

I received a letter on 26 August 2009 in reply to my letter about the amalgamation of the sites of the two schools. The letter referred to a letter of June 2007 from the Department of Education and Science to the Sisters of Mercy and stated that the Department was still awaiting a reply. It also states that the Department sent a reminder to the Sisters of Mercy on 25 August 2009. I took this information seriously and on behalf of the boards of management contacted the Sisters of Mercy in Cahir who referred me to their Reverend Mother in Cork. I received a response from the recruitment manager stating that she had sent a reply to the Department's letter on 11 July 2007 saying the sisters would be disposed in principle to the sale of the current school site, etc. In reply to a further letter from the Department's planning and building unit dated 24 October 2007 she wrote on 10 December 2007 giving a map and the value of the land provided by a property consultant. Since that date, despite contacting the school division at the Department and being referred to the site acquisitions division, the Sisters of Mercy have received no reply from the Department. The ongoing resolution of this matter rests with the Department, not with the Sisters of Mercy.

I am asking the Minister of State for clarity, openness and honesty. It is unfair to blame anybody. I accept there are budgetary problems and constraints but it is unfair and morally wrong to say that sites were not available and letters not replied to. I appreciate the Minister's efforts and those of many officials in the Department but the people who write these letters should be rooted out because they do not deserve a place in the public service.

We should deal with the matter honestly and openly, try to agree a value and make a deal to purchase the land between the two schools. It would be a splendid amalgamation, and although many adjustments need to be made, everybody is ready for that work. The pupils, the staff, parents' councils, boards of management and ancillary staff in Cahir deserve better treatment and to have their case heard with honesty and fairness. This is not good enough.

This is not the first occasion during my short time in the Dáil that I have received such letters blaming another person. The blame should not lie with anybody. We all work together to try to resolve these problems and to be honest with ourselves and our constituents. We know where we are going and the right pecking order. I appeal to the Minister for Education and Science, through the Minister of State, to deal with this matter and bring it to fruition by sitting down with the sisters who are willing, able and ready. They have offered a site, not free, but as land values have come down recently I am sure that having given long service to the community in Cahir, the sisters would not be averse to bringing the price down in line with everything else. In that way we can at least get the site and go through the various stages with all the public representatives, regardless of who is in Government and who is Minister, to progress this in a fair and equitable way. This will allow us to proceed in an orderly manner. That is all I ask. I am not happy with the present situation and could not be expected to be, no more than the boards of management, the school staff, or my other constituents in Cahir could because it is clearly unfair.

Deputy Áine Brady

I am happy to reply on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Education and Science, Deputy Batt O'Keeffe, who cannot be present, unfortunately. I thank the Deputy for raising this matter as it provides me with the opportunity to outline to the Dáil the Government's strategy for capital investment in education projects and to outline the current position of the proposed amalgamation of Cahir boys' national school and Our Lady of Mercy national school.

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. The Government has shown a consistent determination to improve the condition of our school buildings and to ensure the appropriate facilities are in place to enable the implementation of a broad and balanced curriculum. The Department's planning and building unit assesses all applications for capital funding. The assessment process determines the extent and type of need presenting based on the demographics of an area, proposed housing developments, condition of buildings, site capacity, etc. leading ultimately to an appropriate accommodation solution. As part of this process, a project is assigned a band rating under published prioritisation criteria for large-scale building projects. These criteria were devised following consultation with the education partners.

The staffing level of Cahir boys' national school comprises a principal, seven mainstream assistants, one permanent learning support, one release time post, one permanent resource and two temporary language support. It had an enrolment of 169 pupils in September 2009.

Our Lady of Mercy national school has a current staffing level of a principal, 11 mainstream assistants, one permanent shared resource for Travellers, one permanent resource, one learning support-resource and three temporary language support. It had an enrolment of 282 pupils in September 2009.

In 2004, agreement was reached to amalgamate the two primary schools in Cahir. The application was assessed and the project was assigned a band rating of 1.4. The long-term projected staffing for the proposed amalgamated school was determined as one administrative principal, 24 mainstream assistants and four learning support-resource. An autism unit will also be provided as part of the accommodation.

A technical inspection was carried out in 2006 on the existing school buildings to determine which would be suitable to act as a host for the amalgamated school. The report concluded the most suitable building to facilitate the amalgamation would be the girl's school due to its relatively large floor area, good condition of the general building fabric, reasonable development potential and relatively good access to a public roadway. The report also recommended an additional portion of land be acquired from the Sisters of Mercy to the north east of the Our Lady of Mercy national school to facilitate the development. The Sisters of Mercy indicated it would, in principle, be disposed to the selling of the current school site, the playing pitch to the rear of the site and an additional 1.5 acres adjacent to the site to facilitate the proposed works.

The progression of the building project required to facilitate the amalgamation from initial design stage through to construction is dependent on the prioritisation of competing demands on the funding available under the Department's capital budget. The amalgamation school building project for the primary schools in Cahir, County Tipperary, will be considered in the context of the Department's multi-annual school building and modernisation programme.

I again thank Deputy Mattie McGrath for giving me the opportunity to outline to the Dáil the current position regarding the school building project for the primary schools in Cahir, County Tipperary.

The Dáil adjourned at 10.45 p.m. until 10.30 a.m. on Wednesday, 18 November 2009.