Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance) | Oireachtas source

On behalf of People Before Profit, I thank the Labour Party for tabling this motion, which we will be supporting. I specifically wish to say how incredible it is that in the third richest country on the planet, we cannot budget properly for the expansion of our education system and that we are making such a bags - to be frank - of the budgeting for the development of our schools. As has been pointed out to us by the various campaigns, of which there are many throughout the country that will be protesting and campaigning on this issue, the people who suffer the most are the kids with special needs. The kids with special needs will be impacted the most by any delays in providing the space and environment that will enhance their lives and allow their teachers and assistants to deal with them, assess them and teach them properly. We can safely say that in terms of its support for the inclusion of all children, especially all those with special needs, the Government is falling flat on its face.

Tomorrow morning, in Riverview Educate Together National School, which located in the Greenhills area, I will attend a protest with the teachers, parents, local community and other political representatives. Sanction for funding has been in place since last year regarding two blocks of prefabs for this very important school. The Minister of State should note that it is an Educate Together school. The school has been told that the first block will be put in place over the summer, but the Department has just informed those involved that the second block will be put on hold. Like so many other school buildings, the school has planning permission and a contractor, but building cannot proceed. We and the school believe these steps are too far and will lead to more expense and delays. In a period of high inflation, especially in the construction industry, we will see the cost of many of these contracts soar through the roof. It is not good enough that there is all this temporary accommodation for Educate Together schools. Something like 40 out of 100 Educate Together schools are operating in temporary accommodation. In short, the delay in this budget will lead to more money being spent.

Tá géarghá ann freastal, go cothrom agus go práinneach, ar dhaltaí sna scoilcheantair Bhaile Átha Cliath 2, 4, 6 agus 8 agus níos leithne ná sin. Bheadh Gaelcholáistí sna scoilcheantair seo mar bhuntáiste do na Gaelscoileanna sa cheantar. Chomh maith leis sin, níl Gaelscoil ná Gaelcholáiste ar bith i mBaile Átha Cliath 10, cé go bhfuil éileamh suntasach ann d'oideachas lán-Ghaeilge i measc mhuintir Bhaile Formaid. Tá siad sa tóir air seo ar feadh tamaill. Scríobh ár gcomhairleoir, Hazel de Nortúin, de chuid Phobal Seachas Brabús chuig an Roinn cheana féin chun é seo a phlé ach ní bhfuair sí focal ar bith ar ais.

There is a lot of work to be done and I do not think this topic is going to go away. We are the third richest country on the planet and we cannot fund our school projects. It is shameful.

See this speech in context