This matter relates to Gaelscoil Uí Earcáin on Glasanaon Road in Finglas, Dublin 11. A number of parents contacted me to outline some very serious concerns regarding the condition of the school building. Tá an-fhearg agus an-fhrustrachas ar na tuismitheoirí. The building is simply not in an acceptable state. The parents highlighted the fact that the teachers in the school do an excellent job but that the school is located in an extremely old and visibly deteriorating building that is no longer fit for purpose. It was originally built as a boys' school, and there has been a long-standing promise from the Department of education that a new building would be provided. Unfortunately, no meaningful progress has been made, leaving the children and the staff to continue in unacceptable conditions. We are all well aware of the weather we have seen in the past month and the floods that are happening across the country. Unfortunately, this weather is having a particular impact on the school in question. Due to the recent spell of bad weather, the school hall is leaking badly. As a result, children have been unable to use the yard at break times and they are missing PE classes and all indoor school sports activities. These children are stuck behind their desks from the moment they go into school in the morning until they leave in the afternoon. As we know, what we promote all the time is as much physical activity as possible for children during the school day and during the day in general. It is so important for their physical and mental health. Many children need various breaks and space to be able to move around. This is not a minor inconvenience; it represents a failure to meet basic standards. As stated, the teachers and staff in Gaelscoil Uí Earcáin do an amazing job, but they are being asked to do it in extremely challenging conditions. Children should be provided with a safe and healthy environment to learn in. The Department has a clear obligation to ensure that if a building is not safe that emergency measures are taken. The parents and staff are looking for a clear and realistic timeline for the long-promised new school building. They are also seeking to ensure that immediate remedial works are carried out in order that the children can safely return to normal play and PE without further delay. Will the Minister of State ensure that funding is prioritised for Gaelscoil Uí Earcáin? The leak has to be fixed immediately, and the vital and overdue works needed to improve the school and the facilities there must be undertaken. I look forward to hearing the response of the Minister of State.

Sentiment score: 0.12

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire Stáit. I will again emphasise that, as the Minister of State has outlined, we have had a serious weather situation. I am sure it is not the only school in the country facing situations like this. Indeed, I know it is not. In my constituency and across the country, there are issues in relation to school buildings being kept up to standard. We have an issue in that the capitation grant given to schools is not sufficient to cover the basic cost of running a school. That is why parents are being asked all of the time to cover these costs through what is called a voluntary contribution. Of course, in many cases, it does not feel very voluntary. There is a need to increase investment in schools and in education to ensure we do not see situations such as the situation in Gaelscoil Uí Earcáin in Finglas. I will engage with the school. I look forward to the Department responding very positively to applications for emergency funding. I again ask for prioritisation because we really should not be in this position. A new school building should be in place. I ask the Department to look at this again and to come back to me on the development of that new school building. I will again highlight what the parents have said. One said that, as a parent, it is completely infuriating to watch their children's physical health, emotional well-being and educational experience compromised while their tax contributions appear to be squandered on projects such as expensive bike sheds and walls rather than spent addressing issues at a school that is literally crumbling around the children inside it. That is the parents' experience and feeling. We need to acknowledge that and do much better.

Sentiment score: 0.14