Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Yes, I was going to say that we had parents giving out to us because the schools were cold.

I have a couple of questions for the witnesses before we wrap up. I know Mr. Loftus and the building unit are aware there are significant pressure points in the secondary school sector in Wexford town. The construction of a new secondary school in Wexford is required urgently. Students are travelling from Rosslare in the very deep south of the county to Enniscorthy for school. They are not travelling to the meánscoil in Enniscorthy but to St. Mary's CBS or to Coláiste Bríde or to New Ross, which is more than an hour away. No student should have to travel such distances when there is a large town with two boys' and two girls' primary schools and a vocational school. I cannot impress enough upon our guests the urgency of providing another post-primary school in Wexford town. The primary situation is difficult as well but the post-primary school is urgently needed. I ask the building unit to work with Wexford County Council to find an alternative site or whatever is required. People just want to see bricks and mortar. Fantastic work has been done in Wexford town on the CBS but, unfortunately, when the additional classrooms were built, the CBS could only take in one additional pupil. It is a fine school and a lot of money was spent but there are not enough places.

On the summer works scheme, I have spoken to my colleagues as well as to teachers and others in schools. A better title is needed for that scheme. It should not be called the summer works scheme because it is a scheme that is needed all year round. Has the Department any plans to rename the summer works scheme and to operate it all year round?