Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)

I say from the Government benches and have said to the Minister directly that this is the type of school that should be facilitated. The community should not have to wait for this.

I have often made the point that there should be more joined-up thinking between the local authorities — in my case South Dublin County Council in Tallaght — and the planners in the Department of Education and Science. We should not allow so many houses to be built without also providing for proper educational and other infrastructure. It is happening in Ballycragh and other communities. People talk about the need for new schools in County Meath and Drogheda but I am making a strong case for Ballycragh, as I would always do for my community.

As I go about my business — I am aware this is the case everywhere else — I hear many schools lament the fact that funding has not been provided this year for summer works. I have told the Minister that it is important she understands that such funding should be provided.

I want to talk about my local school. I live in Springfield in Tallaght and mention it because——

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