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

I thank the Minister sincerely. The issue of schools within the capital programme competing on building was something that was conveyed to me. I have tremendous respect for the Minister. I had tremendous respect and an equally satisfactory working relationship with former Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Ruairí Quinn. Anything I say is not personal. This is an extremely sensitive issue and, with the greatest of respect, I am unhappy with the Minister's reply. This had been included for the capital expenditure and many parents will now rightfully ask why, if money was allocated for this building, the money is not there. In recent days I have been chasing around a number of officials for precise information and details on this doubt. One senior official in the Minister's Department, knowing I had been trying to contact him in recent days so I could give information and some clarity to the school, told me in an e-mail very early this morning that he was out of the office on Department business with only limited access to email. He had sent me that e-mail from his phone. This is ridiculous and I see it as an exercise in fobbing off an elected Member.

Leaving that aside, I will ask two questions in the time I have remaining. When will this uncertainty be removed? Given the particular circumstances I have outlined, which the Minister and her Department are aware of because of the history associated with Scoil Mhuire, St Mary's girls' national school in Lucan, what measures will the Department take to ensure priority is given to the school in order that clarity and certainty can be given for these works to begin?

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