Kathleen Funchion (Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

With the greatest respect, the Minister's reply contained little that will allay fears among the schools in question. The issue of public private partnerships is a debate for a different day as it would not help the schools in question to discuss it now. The projects are at different stages, with some ready to go and staff waiting to be given the keys to the new buildings. These projects need to be prioritised. A one-off meeting will not be sufficient. The needs of each individual school must be examined.

I hope Deputy Thomas Byrne, the Fianna Fáil Party spokesperson on education, will support Sinn Féin's request to have the Joint Committee on Education and Skills discuss this issue with the relevant stakeholders as a matter of urgency.

The Minister's statement did not contain any comfort for the schools in question because they do not know when they will be given the keys to the new buildings or when construction will continue. This issue will probably not be resolved before students studying for the leaving certificate sit their examinations. The issue must be addressed. The Minister must provide a much better timeline for keeping Deputies updated.

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