Derek Keating (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Lest I forget to do so at the end, I thank the Minister of State. I must impress on him the need for an urgent meeting. I have spoken to the Minister, Deputy Quinn, about this matter. I do not know whether he had a chance to speak with the Minister of State beforehand, as he could not attend, but I would be grateful if the Minister of State could confirm whether the Minister has agreed to meet a small delegation from the schools.

The boards of management and authorities at the St. Thomas' and Scoil Áine schools will take no comfort from the fact that the project remains available for consideration for progression should further funding become available. The Minister of State will not be surprised to hear me say that. He provided a history of the project. Despite the fact that the project was not at an advanced stage at a particular point, it had previously gone through the hoops several times. There is frustration all around.

I assure the Government that the significant increase in the number of pupils witnessed during the period set out by the Minister of State would have been far greater had there been the capacity. The boards of management have needed to make difficult choices because of the restrictions on their accommodation.

Although further funding was made available for temporary accommodation, I assure the Minister of State that some of the conditions would need to be seen to be believed. I hope that the Minister will be able to experience them for himself at the appropriate time through the meeting that I have requested, which I hope the Minister of State will now confirm.

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