Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputies who tabled the motion for bringing it forward and giving us the opportunity to discuss this matter, which comes up every year. It is bewildering that the Government fails utterly to plan. For example, the area in which I live has the fastest-growing population in the State. As sure as night follows day, when children are born they will need an education. Every year, however, the Minister for Education expresses her surprise when I raise an issue relating to my constituency. There is an issue every year because we are short of school places. The Minister stated that her Department had prioritised engagement with boards of management and principals before publishing information. That is not good enough. At this point, I know that at least one school in my area will be impacted. Nobody has had the courtesy to actually publish a list, however. It is frustrating that the Department knows the names on that list and which schools are impacted, as do the schools themselves. It is paternalistic and disrespectful not to come out and tell people. It is an appalling way to treat people.

The Minister also referred to procurement. I mention one of the companies the State contracts with, namely, Murphy International. Many people will be familiar with the bottle-green vans. I raise this point because at the end of last year, four Unite trade union members working for Murphy International in County Limerick were sacked, including a shop steward. They are known as the Murphy Four. They were members of staff who had combined service of 50 years. When the State spends money, workers' rights should be protected. When that does not happen, the relevant Minister should step in and ensure it is done. The workers to whom I refer are being thrown to the wolves. There is an issue regarding procurement. Joining the dots between workers' rights and procurement is probably a good thing, but this has not been done as yet. I ask, as part of this process and review, that the Minister take into account issues of workers' rights in terms of conditions for the people expected to do this work.

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