St Brigid's school facilities
Deputy Smyth highlighted cramped and inadequate facilities at St. Brigid's national school in Meath Hill, including the lack of a PE hall, offices, library and disabled toilets. The Education Minister said he would check the application and noted strong capital pressures but increased spending.
Perhaps the Minister for Education and Skills could take this. The programme for Government contains a commitment to promoting excellence and innovation in our schools. I want to raise the issue of St. Brigid's national school in Meath Hill, Drumconrath, County Meath, a wonderful school with 100 students and four teachers. Unfortunately, the school does not have what I would consider basic facilities. The students are in very cramped and inadequate classrooms. They have no PE hall, no storage, no principal's office, no general office, no library and no disabled toilets. The school has applied for additional accommodation funding and has been unsuccessful. Does the Minister think it is acceptable that these pupils are without what I would deem the basic facilities for providing a good education? When will he be in a position to ensure that Meath Hill has adequate facilities?
Comment on this
I am happy to check this particular application out. The Deputy mentioned a sports hall. As we move towards 2020, when PE will be on the curriculum, I am getting several representations from around the country asking about the investment trajectory. Next year we will have an extra €200 million in capital spending within the Department. There are a lot of pressures. The Minister for Finance, Deputy Donohoe, is coming under a lot of pressure to agree to expenditure and to show prudence. We have to marry the demand with the supply. There is not a parish in the country where schools are not looking for extra facilities or extra rooms. Obviously there are different population pressures. Within the ten year capital plan there is an allocation of €8.4 billion, and within that a plan will be mapped out to find the best way forward. I am happy to check that specific application out for the Deputy.