Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

I want to speak about Gaelscoil Choláiste Mhuire, Parnell Square in Dublin 1. Some of the stories and the image given of the square paint a pretty negative picture of the building itself, but contained in it are incredible teachers and wonderful students who for decades have been failed by the infrastructure and not by the intention of those who teach and provide care within it. Gaelscoil Choláiste Mhuire has been housed in unsuitable emergency accommodation for 20 years. This is despite a suitable location being available since 2010. After waiting for what seemed like an eternity, it received news that contracts were ready for a new building on Dominick Street only for their hopes to be dashed by the Government's decision to hold the development of 58 schools.

Construction of Gaelscoil Choláiste Mhuire is still ready to commence in April. It is a project that would greatly benefit the regeneration of Dublin's north inner city and provide wider benefit for the surrounding community. This is a school that is located just off O'Connell Street. It would have ramifications for the entire city. Mindlessly delaying the project would result in children continuing to inhabit a building on Parnell Square that is nothing short of dangerous. This is the testimony of the students themselves and their parents. It is dilapidated and falling apart. It poses a serious risk to its young students. No child should have to risk harm to attend school. This is where we are with this school. I have spoken to parents who attended the school 20 years ago. They said it was unsuitable for habitation then, let alone now. Even if its occupants are fortunate enough to avoid getting hurt, they still face unsuitable conditions for an adequate education. The classrooms are cramped, with crumbling plasterwork. There is no universal access. The staircase poses risks to students and teachers, there is no assembly hall and the playground is a car park. It is quite a dystopian image I am presenting and I want to say it is not reflective of the teachers, the principal and all the great things that happen in the school.

All the while, public money is being misspent on exorbitant rents for subpar buildings. If these delays are being credited to a lack of funds, the Government should stop needlessly spending money on short-term solutions when long-term investment would pay greater dividends. When used by the Government, the word "commitment" seems to have truly lost its meaning. For this reason I ask that, in his response, the Minister of State avoids using it because the word stings for parents, teachers, the principal and the children in Gaelscoil Choláiste Mhuire who have heard about this commitment for 20 years. They need action. They have no reason to believe the Government is committed to redeveloping the school when, for more than 20 years, it simply has not, despite a location being available and we have a shovel-ready project ready to begin in April. They were convinced it was going to begin in April. They were told this but now it is not happening. They worry for their children's safety when they go to school each day. These empty promises remind them of the hopelessness they have faced for the past 20 years. I would love if the Minister of State and the Government were to take immediate action and make sure construction of Gaelscoil Choláiste Mhuire's new building on Dominick Street begins without delay.

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