Réada Cronin (Kildare North, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Mo bhuíochas le Páirtí an Lucht Oibre as ucht an rún seo a rith. Beimid ag tacú leis anocht. I am glad to have the opportunity to contribute to the debate, particularly as parents in north County Kildare are tearing their hair out regarding the lack of school places for their children. We have been trying to compile a list of the 58 schools affected by the decision in the Department of Education to stop funding for new builds and school extensions, but the Department refuses to provide the relevant information. How paternalistic is it that the Department will not tell elected representatives of the people what is going on? It is almost a case of it being the Department’s schools and money rather than the people's schools and their money. The paternalistic arrogance of the Government was on full display this morning when a Fianna Fail Deputy told people under threat of eviction that the terror they were feeling about losing their homes equated to a spoilt brat looking for extra sweets and needing their Government to tell them no. The Government's job is to provide public services that meet the needs of people where they are; it is not the job of the Government to provide what it thinks they need.

Parents in north County Kildare are working harder than ever and living further away from the type of family support that earlier generations were able to rely on. Parents need the peace of mind of knowing that their children can get a school place. They need notice because their lives take a lot of planning. I have one example of a couple in Kilcock who lost the after-school place for their young child because they are not able to get a school place confirmed for the child. This couple are both nurses. They worked right through Covid-19, with their children going to childcare while the rest of us stayed at home. This is how the Government is rewarding them.

I have questions for the Minister about a school which has been promised to people buying homes in Millerstown in Kilcock but about which the Department does not seem to know anything. There are 50 children in Kilcock without school places, which tells me that a new school is needed, particularly as there are two junior infant classes starting this year. There is no school and no principal I can ring to talk to because one has not been appointed. When I table parliamentary questions, I receive the answer that current schools in Kilcock are oversubscribed. This represents under-provision on the part of Government.

The Minister spoke about school buses. I am aware of approximately 30 parents in Rathcoffey and Straffan who are still waiting for places for their children on the bus scoile. The Minister's party has had 100 years in office; that is 100 years too long.

See this speech in context