Aisling Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)

This is a local issue, but I imagine the experience is probably replicated nationwide. We have the former St. Mary's national school building in Trim, which has been vacant for more than a decade. Previously as a councillor, and now as a TD, I have asked about it numerous times. The answer to a question in February was that it was being divested to Meath County Council. We are in dire need of community buildings for use across County Meath. Can that process be sped up somehow?

My second comment is about Scoil Mhuire secondary school, also in Trim. It is thankfully moving to a new campus but leaving a perfectly good educational building empty. When I asked, I found out it was not in the ownership of the Department of Education and Youth and there were no plans to engage with the owners. That is an opportunity wasted. We have other needs in the town, and I would not like to see us wait until Scoil Mhuire moves to its new campus to acquire that building for a Gaelscoil or an Educate Together.