Martin Browne (Tipperary, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The Minister of State can talk all he likes about priorities, but this is not a priority. The Government has let down Scoil Aonghusa and other schools. There are 150 pupils in the school. Ms Keyes Ryan and all the staff should be applauded for what they are doing. They have to teach the children in hallways, staff rooms and the sensory room. The Minister of State referred to four extra classrooms for Scoil Aonghusa, but the school has stated that it needs 16. Four is no good to them.

During the week, the Minister spoke about an extra special school earmarked for Tipperary. We requested information but got nothing back from her. What we want to know is whether she was referencing the work being done at Scoil Aonghusa. If so, that is not a new school, but a pre-existing promise from the Government. I know we are giving out to the Minister of State, but why should any commitments given today be believed? Before the day is out, we want to have a commencement date from the Minister and the Department for the 16 classrooms that Scoil Aonghusa needs to provide special needs education in Cashel. We do not want more promises or written speeches.

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