Michael Collins (Cork South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister. That is very positive news because this issue has been going on for quite some time. I am always a bit reluctant to raise local issues at Leader's Questions but I have been aware of this imminent crisis in Bandon for many months and held back on going public in the hope that we could resolve it behind the scenes. On 7 March last I first raised this in the Dáil with the then Taoiseach during questions on promised legislation. The Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Bruton, answered saying he would reply 15 days later. I have heard nothing from him despite making many trips to his office. That has left many parents bewildered and on tenterhooks. They are disappointed by a political system that looks at times as if it is hindering progress.

There is a company in west Cork that would supply and put in place classrooms. It does that all over the country. All it needs is approval but sadly this required approval by the Department, which has been dragging its feet. I want the Minister to make this a priority issue to be dealt with by the Department of Education and Skills. This day next week is 1 March. The clock is ticking. If planning is to be sought and temporary classrooms are to be put in place by September 2018, the Government should stand by its programme and the people of Bandon. If it does not the programme for Government will be a failure in their eyes.

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