Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I do not mean to sound ungrateful in any way, but this is the fourth time I have raised the issue in the House. I raised it on 21 April and 13 May 2020, and in October 2020. The script is by and large the same. I had hoped that the Minister would be in attendance so that I could urge her to take a hands-on approach. It is of the utmost importance that the issue be brought to a conclusion so that all of the next steps, which take an average of five years in total, can be progressed.

I will make a further point. I appreciate the difficulty in acquiring a site in any circumstance, but in a rapidly growing town such as Ballincollig, which is in close proximity to Cork city, it is particularly difficult.

As important as acquiring a site is, acquiring the right site is critical. The right site will take account of the location of existing school infrastructure and where the growth in population is taking place in Ballincollig, particularly on its southern and western boundaries. I urge the Minister of State to be conscious of this and not to acquire a site for the sake of it but to acquire the right site. I ask that professionals are involved so that we have proper spatial planning of Ballincollig, in terms of educational infrastructure, and that we have sustainable transport models to the new school, including pedestrian and cycling infrastructure, and that we get the right outcome. I urge the Minister of State to convey to her colleague the absolute urgency of a hands-on approach. Le Chéile will open for secondary school students in September. Gaelscoil an Chaisleáin has been open for four years. It is beyond time the Department brought this matter to a successful conclusion.

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