David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for his response, which was very positive. The people down there will be very pleased to hear that. Again, I acknowledge the work that has gone on with respect to Gaelscoil Mhainistir na Corann where the issue has been ongoing for almost two decades and the Educate Together primary school in Midleton. I notice that the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport is sitting alongside the Minister of State. The Minister will know that the reopening of the rail link to Midleton is one of the reasons why we have such a huge growth in development, building, rezoning, people moving in and prosperity. It goes to show how a rail link can make a big difference to an area. The council agreed to rezone land in east Cork once the rail link opened and the rail link could not open until the land was rezoned but now we have these children who need school places.

The Minister listed about six school projects that are being planned or are ongoing in the area. Could the Minister of State give us any idea as to when we might see shovels on the ground or diggers on the site in respect of the schools in Carrigtwohill and the Gaelscoil? Perhaps he cannot do so but is there any indication as to when we might see work starting on these projects? Will work start sometime in mid-2015? It would be nice if people could know that and if the Minister of State could announce it this evening to the House and the area. We could both go down to the area together and people would be very pleased.

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