Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for selecting this Topical Issue. I am annoyed, too. We have put this debate off a few times so that we might get the Minister for Education to attend, but she has steadfastly refused.

Déanaim comhghairdeas leis an Ms Siobhán Keyes Ryan, all the staff, the pupils, their families and the parents association, and the supporters of Scoil Aonghusa who fund-raise for it. It has gone beyond a joke that a special school and special children could be treated like this. It is typical of what happens under this Government. We think we will have a date today for the election, but we have no date for classrooms in Cashel. Cad a dhéanfaimid feasta gan adhmad? Cad a dhéanfaimid feasta gan na seomraí scoile i gCaiseal na Mumhan? When are the modular classrooms that were sanctioned by the Department going to be put in place? When will phase 2 of the planning application begin for the remainder of the modular classrooms, as promised? Most important of all, when will there be proper and meaningful engagement with the school’s principal, the wonderful Siobhán Keyes Ryan, her staff and the board of management? They are the enablers. They do powerful work. Some of them have been injured because of the unsuitable and dangerous conditions there. The Minister of State, on behalf of the Minister for Education, has a direct responsibility and duty of care to the staff agus na daltaí to ensure there is safety in the first instance. Some staff have been injured and gone out on assault leave. That is not good enough. We want these special children to be nourished and cherished. They are by their families and the school, and I could not say enough good things about the staff, but they are not by the Department of Education. Sadly, the Department is lacking. The Government has passed the Children First legislation, but it is not following it, and that is the most important priority of all.

When will the Minister, Deputy Foley, set out what the delay is in the Department giving approval for this school? It has gone beyond time and this is a serious issue. Deputy Martin Browne and I have joined together to raise it in the interests of the daltaí, staff and management of the wonderful institution that is Scoil Aonghusa.

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