Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)

I wish to ask the Minister about a specific aspect of this issue, namely, the progression from temporary accommodation to permanent accommodation for new schools. For example, there are five Gaelscoileanna in my constituency, four of which are in temporary accommodation — one in particular, Gaelscoil Sáirséil, is in appalling condition. Another example is that of the Educate Together schools. Of the 23 new Educate Together schools opened since 2000, 22 are in temporary accommodation. Educate Together has had to refuse four groups of parents in various parts of the country applications under their patronage for new schools due to the cost of schools being housed in temporary accommodation. It is a serious problem. For example, a parent in Carlow to whom I spoke thought a school would open next year but it now has no patron.

Will the Minister address the problem of schools remaining in temporary accommodation for such a long period, particularly with regard to the Educate Together crisis?

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