John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

It is unbelievable that the Government has allowed the Department to sleepwalk into the pending crisis. I have been asking questions about this for the past two years, particularly regarding the concerns relating to the BIFE site. I pointed out that there were issues with the identification of that site by the ex-CEO, Mr. Sean Nash, and with the engagement with the Department, which I believe should be investigated. It is only now that the Department has acknowledged that there is a difficulty. The KWETB board met yesterday and made a unanimous decision not to proceed with co-location on the BIFE site. This was all flagged. There is now a crisis.

Patronage was awarded to the North Wicklow Educate Together school in 2013 and it moved into its temporary accommodation in 2016. I do not take any comfort from what the Minister has said; he is dealing in hopes and aspirations. There has been a suggestion that the school could temporarily relocate to the old Colaiste Raíthín premises in Bray. If the Minister and the KWETB are looking at that as an option, they should know that it is not fit for purpose. It was not fit for purpose for Colaiste Raíthín, which, after a lengthy campaign, moved into its new accommodation recently. It will not be suitable for North Wicklow Educate Together in the short or long term.

The simple solution to this is for the Department to purchase the Putland Road site. Is that being considered by the Minister and his officials?

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