Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire go dtí an Teach. Mar is eol dó, tá an-obair ar siúl ag na Gaelscoileanna ar fud na tíre ar son na Gaeilge. Is fíor a rá go bhfuil athbheochain na teanga á cur chun cinn sna scoileanna seo. Tá an scéal amhlaidh i Muileann Cearr agus tá súil agam go mbeidh an t-Aire agus an Roinn Oideachais agus Eolaíochta ábalta teacht i gcabhair ar Ghaelscoil an Mhuilinn. Tá sár-obair ar siúl ann agus táimíd go léir an-mhóralach as.
Gaelscoil an Mhuilinn, Mullingar was established in 1994 with just 24 pupils. It was housed in a shop which had living accommodation. Eight years later there are 232 pupils and 11 teachers, but the accommodation has not grown. The number of pupils has increased almost tenfold, but there is no playing field, hall, storage areas, principal's or secretary's office or remedial room. The schoolyard is small and pupils have to be let out to play in relays.
There is also a huge problem with parking. Gaelscoil an Mhuilinn is located on the Ballymahon road, which continues from Ballymahon to Roscommon and Athlone. It is a busy road, even if it is just a regional road. The school is located between two housing estates, Oaklawns and Woodlands. Given the lack of facilities in the school, especially with regard to playing facilities, this is causing difficulty for local residents.
I am pleased to have been involved in the decision by Westmeath County Council to dispose of a plot of land for the construction of a school at Ashe Road, Mullingar. There is full planning permission for Gaelscoil an Mhuilinn on this site. It is waiting to go to tender if the necessary finance is made available. I would be grateful if the Minister would, through his good offices, ask the Minister for Education and Science, Deputy Woods, to provide it.
I mentioned athbheochán na teanga. There is a renaissance in the language, thank goodness. It is our native tongue. I am proud, as a Westmeath man and somebody with an abiding interest in the promotion of the teanga dúchais, that Gaelscoil an Mhuilinn has grown. Unfortunately, however, the accommodation and facilities have not grown in tandem with the number of pupils.
It is imperative that the construction of the school is expedited in the near future. Perhaps the Minister will convey my concern and that of the people whose children are attending the school that this project is given the go ahead as soon as possible.
