Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Ba mhaith liom buíochas a ghabháil le Páirtí an Lucht Oibre as an rún seo atá os ár gcomhair inniu.

I recently submitted a parliamentary question to the Minister regarding the Kolbe Special School in my constituency. The Minister said the Government's immediate priority is to cater for requirements for September 2023. I was also informed that the Department is engaging with the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform on capital funding pressures in order to continue to be able to adequately support the operation of the school system with the roll-out of school building projects to tender and construction in 2023 and to minimise project delays to the greatest extent possible. Quite frankly, this is ridiculous. If the money is going to be allocated, then let the tenders go out and, if not, just tell the parents, schools and boards of management straight up. Tell them the truth and stop playing games.

I also know from parliamentary questions I submitted that the Department is currently in receipt of 11 applications under the additional school accommodation scheme from schools in the counties of Laois and Offaly. My experience would suggest that there is a far greater number of schools urgently awaiting progress on renovation works, such as St. Brendan's Community School in Birr. It is waiting for minor works that were meant to happen last summer but they have not happened. There has been no engagement from the Department of Education. It is ridiculous. The school was approved for an autism spectrum disorder, ASD, unit four years ago but, again, there has been no engagement. Not enough is being done about that. I ask for urgent engagement with St. Brendan's Community School in Birr. I have raised this issue a number of times. It is unacceptable for the school to be left with minor works not carried out and an ASD unit still not built although the approval was given four years ago. For that reason, I have repeatedly suggested the possible redeployment of any available staff from other Departments to try to speed up processes so that somebody is there to engage with schools. Some schools are waiting years and it is just not good enough. We need to see action. We need communication, collaboration and engagement.

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