I welcome the Minister to the House. I have raised this matter as a result of representations made to me by the VEC in County Roscommon, the parents' council, teachers and people in general in the Elphin area who are extremely concerned with the slow progress in the provision of the new accommodation at Elphin post-primary school.
Elphin post-primary school has 104 pupils and 14 teachers, with 11 subjects at junior cycle and a full range of subjects at leaving certificate level. Unfortunately, the school must work from two campuses which are a half mile apart. At all times two classes, with 20 in each class, must be located on a campus half a mile from the main building. This is a totally unsatisfactory method of addressing the needs of the pupils in the Elphin area. It has a knock-on consequence in that many pupils are leaving the area to attend schools outside Elphin because of the inappropriate facilities provided. Parents feel aggrieved that their children have to walk half a mile along the streets of Elphin in rain, frost and snow to get from one classroom to another. I know of nowhere else where this type of operation would be allowed continue.
As far back as January 1999 a deputation consisting of the chief executive officer and chairman of Roscommon VEC, Monsignor Travers, the bishop's representative, representatives of the school's board of management, parents' representatives and public representatives met with the then Minister for Education and Science, Deputy Martin, and outlined the difficult situation. The second campus, bad and all as it was, was no longer going to be available as there is only a yearly lease on it and it is costing a large amount of money. Therefore, it is probable that the facility currently being used will not be available to Elphin post-primary school in the future.
The school identified a site which was available and which has been bought and paid for, but the necessary further steps have not been taken. While some movement has taken place, it has been at a very slow pace which has resulted in great anger in the area.
The representations I have had are strong. I would be negligent in my duty as a public representative if I did not outline in stark terms what has been brought home to me by parents' representatives, teachers and the chief executive officer of the VEC. They feel that the necessary strands are not being pulled together, and that is why I raise this issue. I ask the Minister to give this matter priority and that the totally unacceptable situation in Elphin be immediately addressed so that the town and catchment area has proper facilities.
A site has been provided and we are awaiting plans and then a contract to provide new accommodation. It is not a major task for either the office of the Minister, which I know has great interest in it, or the building section of the Department. It is a matter of bringing all the strands together so the wishes of the people, and the decision of the former and current Ministers to provide accommodation, is put into practice.
The Cathaoirleach comes from the area and I know he fully supports this proposal. He has attended the public meetings and the deputations in support of the parents, teachers and pupils, as have other public representatives. Two years have passed since the application was made to extend the school and since the first deputation to the Minister. We need action and a positive response. I must report back to the parents and the board of management next week and I do not want to return empty handed.
I ask that this matter be given the utmost priority so we can report favourably to the people of Elphin, the authorities in the school and County Roscommon VEC.
