Christopher O'Sullivan (Cork South West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Minister of State should have heard of Newcestown, the school he referred to. They are a great hurling club, and a dual club even. Getting back to Laragh, I appreciate the Minister of State would not have the full detail but the Minister, Deputy Foley, does. I know she is aware of it and is working to solve it. The very simple message I want to send to the Department, Bus Éireann and to the school transport section is to please sanction a smaller bus to cater for these 22 children in order they can get to Laragh National School safely.

Speaking of getting to Laragh National School safely, I mentioned the pick-up and drop-off. I do not expect the Minister of State to be across this in any detail but I ask that this message be relayed. There were issues with safely picking up and dropping off kids outside of Laragh National School. In fairness, the school board and school principal are proactive. They worked with Cork County Council and they embarked on a community involvement scheme. They spent €100,000 upgrading the area outside the school with a brand new layout to make things safer. Some €90,000 was provided from Cork County Council and €10,000 was provided from the school itself, from the parents and the board. There is one final missing piece of the jigsaw that they need to solve in respect of the entrance gate going into the school. They have applied for emergency works from the Department of Education but they have been turned down. It would be money very well spent. I ask that be reviewed and that the Department look favourably on their application for emergency works so that we can get these kids safely to and from school on weekdays.

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