Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Gaelscoil na Laochra in Birr, County Offaly has been waiting since 2015 to move to its permanent premises, which is partially occupied by a mental health service. This issue has dragged on and it is very unfair on the pupils and staff. We need an intervention by the Minister, as well as more co-operation between the HSE and the Department of Education. The Gaelscoil na Laochra school community has waited for this move to happen since 2015. I raised this issue with the previous Minister, but I am hopeful that this Minister can get to grips with this situation and help to resolve this issue. Given Covid-19 and the lack of space in the current premises the school is using in Sandymount Haven in Birr, the move to the permanent premises needs to go ahead. Can the Minister urgently intervene?

I raised the prospect yesterday of extra teaching staff being hired given how much time leaving certificate students have missed in schools. Those students missed five months in school last year and two more months this year. The Minister stated that 1,000 posts are being provided. My understanding, however, is that those 1,000 posts were on track anyway, even if we never had Covid-19. Some teachers will also be leaving the profession, so that figure will not really be 1,000 extra teachers. I appeal to the Minister again to provide extra supports, in the form of extra teaching staff, to schools to help our leaving certificate students. It would be a pragmatic solution and it would alleviate some of the stress these students are under.

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