Paul Donnelly (Dublin West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I raise the issue of planning and strategic planning, in particular, by the Department of Education and by the Government. In Dublin West, every school has been developed following huge campaigns by parents followed by hollow promises and timelines. We have schools needing either demolition, replacement or massive upgrades, because they were built decades ago. We have new developments right across the constituency, in Hollystown, Ongar, Carpenterstown and Diswellstown, where new schools need to be developed. Can the Minister find out if there is a plan or if these decisions are made on the hoof? In other developments, apartment owners must provide a sinking fund. Buildings last only 30 or 40 years before major upgrades are necessary. In terms of future planning, it seems the Department of Education is only reactive, not proactive.

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