Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees
Wednesday, 22 January 2014
Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Education and Skills
Estimates for Public Services 2014
Vote 26 - Department of Education and Skills (Revised)
3:00 pm
Brendan Ryan (Dublin North, Labour)
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New schools have been announced for many areas, including in my constituency which is a growing area and places are needed for children at both primary and secondary level. However, existing schools have done much of the heavy lifting over the past years. They have set up prefab classrooms and taken all-comers. Catholic schools have catered for all nationalities. They may have had a priority band status one rating but they are being left behind as new schools are established. Is there any hope for such schools? I know economic times are difficult and we must cater for the additional capacity. Will the Minister send out a message of hope to those schools who continue to wait for some progress and improvement?