Grace O'Sullivan (Green Party) | Oireachtas source

Deputy Martin sincerely apologises for not being able to be here today because of a family bereavement. I know that Deputy Martin has been working with Marie, Ms Carr and the parents of the board of management on the issue. In fact, it was she who asked that the witnesses be brought to this committee. The presentations we heard made this a very worthwhile exercise.

I would also like to mention Gaelscoil Chnoc Laimhna in Knocklyon. Some parents of children at that school are in the Gallery today. Deputy Martin and my Green Party colleague, Francis Duffy, have been working with them to secure a permanent building for that school. It has been in prefabs for 22 years, and a representative was on Drivetime during the week describing horrific conditions. Thanks to Ms Carr, Mr. Burke and Mr. Bergin for their presentations. It is horrifying to listen, in this day and age, to stories of how the economy is growing while the conditions described exist. I admire the persistence and dedication of the witnesses, who are operating under sub-standard conditions.

In the short term, what do each of the schools need to ease the stress of the temporary accommodation? In terms of communications with the Department of Education and Skills, do they feel that the lines of communication are good enough or effective? There have been issues in terms of communication for Ballinteer Educate Together; I understand that announcements about the school were made on Twitter before the school itself was informed. Have communications with the Department improved since the Twitter announcement? Do the schools feel there is an end in sight to the saga that they, their pupils and the families involved have been involved in? How are the schools managing to keep the parents calm? The witnesses must be very frustrated with the whole system and the lack of development.

We have heard the problems associated with the schools represented here. Yesterday I received a call from Tramore Educate Together. It is in my constituency and we are very proud of it. It is being split into two campuses so that it can develop. It is an unworkable and unhealthy situation in terms of health and wellness. I wanted to bring that to the attention of the committee.

We are hearing from three schools today but many schools are facing this problem. I welcome that it is being addressed and I hope the committee will pursue it in the best interests of the pupils, the staff and society in general.