Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the comprehensive response from the Minister of State. There is a division of language. Much certainty has been provided on the timeline for the permanent school build, which we are aware of. He spoke about being one site in the second quarter of 2019 with completion in the third quarter of 2020. There is an urgent need for the school now. The primary issue we both discussed in this Topical Issue debate is the definition of "shortly". Is it a week, is it a month, or is it five months? It is for the Department to provide that certainty.

It is good the Government and the Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills are providing a guarantee to parents, children and the broader community that the prefab will be on site. The reason I referenced the historic issue in this school and the difficulties it has had with Department is that promises were not fulfilled, despite them being well-intentioned. Will the Minister of State provide clarity on what "shortly" means for this school? Is it a guarantee that the prefabs will be on site in September 2019? When will the application be lodged?

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