Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Anti-Austerity Alliance) | Oireachtas source

This is not just about children in prefabs. It is also about the substandard conditions in which children and staff are learning and working. The accommodation is dark, damp and mouldy and completely unsuitable. These are the worst conditions in which I have ever seen children being taught. It is absolutely intolerable. We are told there has been a recovery in the economy. Why can more money not be allocated for the construction of the buildings promised, particularly given that building workers also need jobs? The suspicion in the community is that because of the pressure exerted in electioneering the St. Mochta's national school project and, possibly, other similar projects were included in the list which was widely publicised. There is outright cynicism in that regard, but that is how people feel and it is hard not to feel that way when a new Government enters office and a project suddenly disappears from the list.

On the architectural regulations, the school is very concerned that the new guidelines will be applied retrospectively to projects which have already been approved. That should not be the case. It is important that insurmountable barriers not be put in the way of the project. When is it likely to commence? That is what people want to know and I am still not clear on the matter, despite the Minister's reply.

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