Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am sharing time with Deputy Michael Collins, Deputy Carol Nolan and Deputy Michael Healy-Rae. Ar an gcéad dul síos ba mhaith liom comhghairdeas a ghabháil leis an Aire, an Teachta Foley, agus leis an Aire, an Teachta Harris, freisin.

I wish to compliment, and say how delighted I am to see, the Minister, Deputy Foley, in her new role. I am also pleased to see the Minister without portfolio, Deputy Harris, in a new role and out of where he was. I know he left the children's hospital in a black hole so I hope we will have a better relationship in this Department.

I accept the Minister has repeated herself and said there will be funding. However, I cannot believe we are bringing the Estimates today - I am not blaming the Minister - and that there is no funding announced and no idea of the Covid-19 costs. Children and families from playschool, national school, secondary school, third level, fourth level and further education have been scattered to the winds. It has been a trying time for teachers, families and the students. This is concerning. We need to have surety. I heard the Minister say there will be funding for the schools. I have served on school boards of management. They are run on a shoestring. They need to know that money is available if they spend it on getting hot water into the toilets, which is a basic necessity. If they spend money on the yard or in the classroom and putting up Perspex it will be costly. They need to know they have it. They fundraise using draws and everything else. I know the Minister is keenly aware of that.

I thank the Minister and her Department for engaging with Cahir Boys National School and Our Lady of Mercy Primary School. The project has been going on for more than 30 years. It went to tender last November. I thank the Minister for coming back to me on it. I thank the Sisters of Mercy and Bishop Phonsie Cullinan, the patron, for giving the site. I compliment all involved, including those on board of management, past and present, the parents council and everyone. We want to see the machines moving in and the sod turned for this new building. A builder has been appointed but we are afraid that with Covid-19 and everything it might fall off the cart again.

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