I thank you, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle, for allowing me to raise this very important matter on the Adjournment. I had put down a Special Notice Question to the Minister concerning the inordinate delay in sanctioning the contract for Ballybrohan national school, Ogonelloe, County Clare and the closure of a temporary school due to rat infestation. Ballybrohan national school serves the children of the parish of Ogonelloe which is south of Scarriff on the banks of Lough Derg. On 17 December 1992 a storm blew the roof of the prefabricated classrooms. Special temporary classrooms were set up by the local community in the local hall as an emergency measure. Since then difficulties have arisen in the school, one of which is rat infestation and which forced the parents, two weeks ago, to withdraw their 25 children from the school.
Much of the frustration, which began in 1990, is caused by promises made by successive Ministers regarding the sanctioning of the contract for the new school. On 22 February 1993 I received a letter from the Minister for Education, Deputy Bhreathnach, which states:
Dear Donal,
I wish to inform you that, on the basis of the increased provision of £18.7 million allocated this year for the national schools capital programme, I have authorised that the major building project sanctioned for Ogonelloe/Ballybrohan national school should proceed to contract during 1993.
Officials of the Planning and Bilding Unit of my Department will be making the necessary arrangements in consultation with the school authorities.
I am delighted to bring you such good news.
I conveyed that in good faith to the people who asked me to make representations on their behalf. I was aghast to learn about this latest incident and that no commencement date has yet been set for the project. The chairperson of the parents' association is correct to say that they cannot believe politicians any more. The Minister sent me a letter — which I forwarded in good faith — outlining in simple language that the project sanctioned for Ogonelloe-Ballybrohan national school should proceed to contract during 1993 yet the Department has gone back on its word. Why did the Minister renege on her responsibilities? Surely it is her responsibility to ensure that children are not taught in rat infested temporary buildings in Ogonelloe?
The Minister has an opportunity to set a date for the commencement of the project. The children have had to recover from the traumatic event of having the roof taken off but they are being disturbed by further problems. Will the Minister state the date on which it is intended to authorise the commencement of this project?