Pat Casey (Wicklow, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Two schools in Bray are completely unsure as to when their school buildings will open and what their future maintenance services will be due to the collapse of Carillion. Coláiste Ráithín and St. Philomena's in Bray are awaiting the completion and opening of the long-awaited essential buildings. When the news broke I immediately contacted the Department by means of a parliamentary question demanding clarity on the issue and I am very disappointed with the answers supplied.

When we in Fianna Fáil raised the issue we were assured by the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Bruton, who was confident that the five Irish schools would not be affected by the collapse. However, responses to parliamentary questions received by my office last week reveal a hands-off and careless attitude to this very serious issue for both school communities. I can confirm that the school community in Bray is very concerned, and rightly so. It has organised public meetings to inform parents and many students and staff have expressed deep concern about their new school at a time when we should be celebrating the new future of Coláiste Ráithín and St. Philomena's.

For the Government to have such a hands-off approach also raises question marks about the funding model being used to build the schools. Schools are essential public buildings which the community in Bray rightly expect the Government to control not to evade responsibility behind the NDFA. In short, could I ask the Minister when the schools will open and when all maintenance contracts will be fully honoured to the satisfaction of the school board of management?

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