Over the years, many rural schools have been brought up to a very acceptable standard and this is much appreciated by everyone involved in education. Nevertheless, there still are substandard schools and they are a blot on the educational landscape. Unfortunately, Cooneal is a school that falls into that category. The Department is aware of the engineer's report on the school. There is a sense of urgency regarding the updating of its facilities.
People can become dismayed and cynical.
Without dwelling on its merits or demerits, when parents in Cooneal hear of the 60 million allocation to Croke Park they ask the reason they cannot be given a few pounds to refurbish the school. That is a valid reaction, one that is becoming widespread in an area where there are deficiencies. In this era parents will not tolerate for much longer substandard conditions for their children. I am sure the Minister of State will have positive news on what the Department has in mind for Cooneal in the immediate future. Given that we are approaching the summer recess it would be desirable that the work be completed during the break in order that by next winter the children of Conneal could return to a school that is warm and equipped with all the sanitary facilities which all children deserve in this day and age.