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

The decades-long lack of investment in education in towns like Bandon has this year led to the Bandon secondary school catchment area facing a crisis once again.

1 o’clock

I raised this on Leader's Questions in 2017 and every year since. The Minister who took the question in 2017 announced a big investment for St. Brogan's College in Bandon which would alleviate the waiting list. Up to 80 families have been refused entry to the school this year, which is at double the capacity. Children cannot attend Hamilton High School in Bandon due to overcrowding.

I spoke to many parents last week who are facing the same nightmare as last year. Many were told by the education board last year to educate their children at home or take them to secondary school in Cork as there would be no room in Bandon. Can the Tánaiste guarantee me, on behalf of the people of Bandon, that the school will be able to accommodate their children September? Can a complete assessment of educational needs be carried out so that plans can be put in place for a new stand-alone secondary school in Bandon, similar to Kinsale, Bantry and Skibbereen, which can cater for up to 2,000 children?

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