Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)

The timeframe is the end of this year when we get the result of the value for money review. It is, literally, a value for money review and nothing else. There is no prejudice on my part. I am open to all suggestions. The famous Stanley letter of 1831 laid the foundations of primary education in Ireland. At that time there were no cars, transport was by foot and the rural population was enormous. Very few, if any, young people would now be allowed by a responsible parent to walk to school in rural Ireland, for fear of being run over by a boy racer or by an articulated truck. We must look at what we have.

I regard the school buildings as educational infrastructure which could, perhaps, be used in a different way. I will be guided by community leadership at local level. Marlborough Street does not have all the answers. We will depend on and listen to constructive and positive responses when we see the value for money review.

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