David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Is the Minister saying that she will ease the requirements with respect to the nearest school criteria for east Cork given the waiting lists there were so long? Application forms for school transport should be submitted by the last Friday in April each year. Many parents did not know what place they had by that date and they still do not know. Then there is the issue of having to repeatedly appeal as I said earlier. Will the Minister relax that? Will she consider putting Carrigtohill and Midleton in one catchment area for the school transport? Would she agree that that would solve a lot of problems immediately?

To support my colleague, Deputy Buckley, can the Minister tell us whether the Department is seriously looking at building another secondary school or opening one in temporary accommodation in September 12 months? The numbers I have seen indicate that we will be back again next year and it will be much worse and one answer would be another second level school. I know Educate Together is looking for one. Will the Minister comment on that?

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