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

I thank the Tánaiste for his reply. As I said earlier, the people of Bandon are rightly angry. Year after year there has been under-investment in their town. The flood relief scheme is now under way, long after the destruction of business properties and many hard working people having been put out of business. The southern by-pass remains unfinished despite Government promises that it will be finished. If the plan for the proposed northern relief road goes ahead it will bring chaos to Bandon businesses and motorists.

The Tánaiste mentioned in his reply that the lack of school places may be resolved in 2021. School enrolment for September 2020 is the focus of parents in Bandon. The parents have been told to educate their children at home or to take them to Cork to be educated. I have met the parents, who have told me that is what they are being told. This is not acceptable. The anger among parents is palpable, as they know promises made are not being delivered at huge cost to their children's education. The four prefabs already provided are not sufficient to cater for the children that need places in September 2020. Will the Tánaiste ask the Minister for Education and Skills to visit Bandon and meet the parents, allay their fears and assure them that the problem will be sorted by September. On behalf of the worried parents in Bandon, will they be able to have their children educated in a Bandon secondary school in September 2020?

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