Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I have made my comments on Gaza. I am happy that we will have an opportunity to discuss the matter later today. I want to raise a different issue with the Taoiseach now. It is one I have raised on several occasions. As a consequence of the collapse of Carillion in January and the Sammon Group subsequently going into examinership, the completion of the construction of a bundle of six schools has been delayed for half a year. The new building at Loreto secondary school in Wexford was to have been occupied in January. The school authorities had made provision for timetabling, recruitment of staff and subject choices on the basis that the new building would be available. They are now being told by the Department that they should make contingency plans to stay in the existing facilities, which are inadequate, when the new school term commences in September. This is causing consternation because it is not doable. I imagine that there are similar situations in the other schools. The hands-off approach to this matter that has repeatedly been set out in response to questions asked by Deputies on this side of the House is no longer acceptable.

3 o’clock

If the Taoiseach is not fully up to speed, I understand, but I urge him to take a personal interest in seeking to resolve this really important issue for the thousands of pupils involved.

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