Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I have already answered "Yes" to the Deputy's question. I know Bandon well. It is a great town and we should not be talking it down. The Government is investing in Bandon and will continue to do so. There is a particular problem in regard to post-primary school places. The Government has committed to investing in a permanent solution but it will not provide significant accommodation until 2021. I reiterate that officials from the Department continue to actively liaise with school principals in Bandon to ensure that every child will have access to a physical school place in 2020, which is the issue raised by the Deputy. As stated earlier, we will resolve the issue through the use of temporary accommodation while the permanent building project proceed and is, hopefully, completed in 2021. In the meantime, we need to ensure that parents can get the answers that they need for September 2020. The Department is committed to doing that.

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