Brian Leddin (Limerick City, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

Indeed, there are very significant developments under way. We welcome them in Limerick. They point to a future for the city in which the population is rebalanced back towards the centre. The Minister mentioned Laurel Hill and Gaelcholáiste Luimnigh. The latter is a very exciting project in my locality and we hope it will be open very soon. Construction is going very well.

When it comes to locating new schools, we must be careful not to build on the edges of urban areas continually. Doing so exacerbates the sprawl that has left us in the very car-dependent society we have. The Gaelcholáiste is an exception to that. The Minister should consider other school developments in Limerick that are good in many ways but that will not address the sprawl we see in our towns and cities. It is critical, from a climate perspective, that we get the location of schools right. Will it be possible for me to meet the staff in the unit that examines the demographics in and plans new schools for Limerick? I would appreciate that.

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