Christopher O'Sullivan (Cork South West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

With the demographics and the increase in enrolments in the Gaelscoil, that problem is only going to get worse, but the possible introduction of an Irish-medium secondary school removes that headache. Unfortunately, after listening to Cormac McCashin, and obviously this is not a committee I attend regularly, it seems the starting point is at a very low base and Department policy so far means there is a long way to go before we see these secondary schools being built.

Cape Clear was mentioned and it is sad to see three pupils enrolled in the primary school there at the moment. A lot of that is down to a housing policy issue for the islands that needs to be addressed by encouraging more people. I guarantee, if they had that option, they would move there. I thank the witnesses for the presentations. I encourage them to keep flying the flag and to keep plugging away.