Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising these issues. On behalf of the Minister, Deputy Foley, I reassure the House that her Department is committed to the accelerated provision of the urgent school accommodation the Deputy has talked about for Blessington Community College and Temple Carrig School.

In the wider context, the Department of Education is conscious of the urgency in providing accelerated delivery of school accommodation at both schools. Officials in the Department are working closely with both school authorities and the assigned project managers to ensure timely delivery of the accommodation. The provision of school accommodation to meet the need for school places, both mainstream and for students with special educational needs, is a priority for the Department.

I know the Deputy has suggested that perhaps there is too much bureaucracy or too many processes. I outlined earlier that we have tried to reduce these processes but the Deputy will know that these processes, some of which are statutory, are absolutely necessary to be complied with. If the Department did not comply, there would be issues. To be clear, the provision of accommodation to meet the need for school places is an absolute priority for the Department.

Department officials will continue to work with both schools and the project managers who have been assigned to deliver the required accommodation we know is needed in those schools.

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