I want to raise the issue of Borrisoleigh national school, a successful school with a constantly increasing enrolment. It needs more special needs assistant, SNA, hours as well as building work to deliver extra space as quickly as possible. It also needs an additional teacher. There are 37 students in a classroom of 60 sq. m, which is not acceptable. There is a general acceptance by the Department of Education that extra resources are required for the school, but I wish to discuss the length of time it is taking the school's applications for the building works and additional teacher to be processed. We would like to see the process streamlined and decisions reached much more quickly than is the case currently.

I thank Deputy Cahill for making me aware of the challenges being faced by Borrisoleigh national school. I appreciate that it is the experience of a lot of us and a lot of schools around the country that decisions on additional teachers and the extension of buildings take far too long. Unfortunately, the Minister for Education is not here at the moment, but I will let her know that the matter was raised in the Dáil and ask her to speak to Deputy Cahill directly.