Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Are the minutes of the meeting of 26 September 2023 agreed? Agreed. I remind members to ensure that their mobile phones are switched off for the duration of the meeting because they may interfere with the broadcasting equipment of the Houses, even on silent mode.

On behalf of the committee, from the Department of Education I welcome: Mr. Hubert Loftus, assistant secretary with the planning and building unit; Mr. Murty Hanly, principal officer with the planning and building unit; Ms Áine Cusack, principal officer with the planning and building unit; Mr. Mark Kelly, technical manager with the planning and building unit, Ms Martina Mannion, assistant secretary and head of special education and inclusion; and Mr. Martin McLoughlin, principal officer with the special education unit. The officials are here to brief the committee on the current and future plans of the school building unit, with specific reference to the new building for the Holy Family School for the Deaf in Cabra, Dublin 7, representatives of which appeared before the committee a number of months ago, progress on providing autism spectrum disorder, ASD, units in primary schools, new and replacement secondary schools, the conversation of existing accommodation for autism classes, a general overview of new modular builds and the intended duration thereof, sports facilities, halls and multipurpose rooms, Department of Education involvement in school car parking and traffic management solutions, siting of schools in terms of transport and mobility issues, current and future climate action plans, including the siting of schools in the context of transport emissions, the exact placement of school extension or prefab buildings within the footprint of school grounds and the prioritisation or conservation of recreational sports facilities. The format of the meeting is that I will invite Mr. Loftus to make a brief opening statement. This will be followed by questions by committee members, who have six-minute slots to ask questions and for witnesses to respond. As witnesses are probably aware, the committee will publish the opening statement on its website later today.

Before we begin, I remind members of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against any person or entity inside or outside of the Houses in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable.

Witnesses are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice that they should not criticise or make charges against any person or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable, or otherwise engage in speech that might be regarded as damaging to the good name of the person or entity. Therefore, if witnesses' statements are potentially defamatory in relation to an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative that they comply with any such direction.

Mr. Loftus has five minutes in which to make his opening statement.