Joan Collins (Dublin South Central, Independents 4 Change) | Oireachtas source

I support the motion being put forward by the Labour Party. There has been far too little action from the Government for the thousands of families waiting for new schools, school modernisation, or school places. The situation is not improving. It just goes to show how seriously the Government is taking this.

I received a reply to a parliamentary question from the Minister for Education yesterday on class size. It said the Minister is delighted to have the investment in budget 2023-2024 to bring down class sizes to 23 pupils per teacher. The EU average is 20 pupils per teacher. As one of the richest countries in Europe, can we really not match the EU average? It is something we should have done way before now. How come other governments can do this with less money but the Government cannot? There is a clear lack of ambition and investment in education from the Government.

I recognise that the school meals programme has been extended in DEIS schools, and potentially to primary schools outside the DEIS area next year. I welcome that. However, the Minister has still not deal with some of the serious issues, in particular the 58 schools whose capital projects have come to a grinding halt. We cannot even get a list of those schools. The only way we can find out anything as public representatives is by hearing what is happening when emails are sent to us.

I want to finish by referring to part of a letter I received from a parent as an example of the situation being experienced. The parent says they are desperately asking for a call to action regarding her children's primary school, Riverview Educate Together National School on Limekiln Avenue in Dublin 6. The letter states they are in dire need of additional space for current and incoming children. Currently, the school has no space for resource. The calm space is in a repurposed toilet block and individual and group resource teaching takes place in the small main corridor of the building. The principal and secretary share a space that also doubles up as a sick room, extra maths classroom, and time-out space for poor behaviour. The staff at Riverview have built the school but it is only the tiny beginnings and they need that extra money to finish the structure.

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