Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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The timing is important. The discussions started around the possible amalgamation of schools, of which one site is owned by the bishop and one site is owned by the De La Salle Brothers. The proposal that is on the table is to close the site, which has been described by Ms McDonagh as a fantastic campus with terrific grounds, and transfer to a site that does not have the services and facilities to cater for the proposed amalgamation. The school is depending on the Department of Education and Skills to provide funding for the construction of a new autism unit and at least part of a school building - because the Dominican site has a number of prefabricated buildings - as well as a PE hall. When there were discussions on a possible amalgamation, I wonder why the question was not asked as to whether the amalgamated school could be sited on the better site - the site with better facilities. Why was this was not raised in discussions with the De La Salle Brothers?