Brian Brennan (Wicklow-Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I refer to a number of pressing issues relating to capital investment in schools in my constituency both in the provision of new buildings and upgrading of existing buildings. I commend the Department on the continuous roll-out of hot meals and free books. I welcome the commitment in the programme for Government to increased facilities for children with additional needs by establishing either new special schools or special educational classes to ensure children with additional needs get the support and resources they deserve.

I recently attended the opening of Gorey Hill Special School. It is an incredible facility and a textbook example of what is needed in special schools. It simply ticks every box. It has wonderful staff, satisfied parents and, most importantly, happy children being taught in a caring, state-of-the-art facility. Credit must go the drivers behind the school. I must mention Karina Daly and all the team at the Waterford and Wexford Education and Training Board, WWETB, the school principal, Kerrie Wickham, the deputy principal, Aileen Roche, and the project manager, Padraic Flood, whose young son has been enrolled in the school. It was a joy to behold the pride on Padraic's face that day.

While this is a very welcome development and a shining example of what can be done in our educational system, following site visits I have questions regarding numerous current capital projects in my constituency that are either experiencing a stalemate in progress or are struggling to operate with the facilities available to them. In the case of Coláiste Bhríde, for example, plans are approved for a wonderful new school but there is currently no commitment to include work on a sports pitch. With more than 1,000 students, the exclusion of a functional pitch for outdoor sports would be a huge oversight. The Minister took time out to visit Gorey Community School. It is the largest school in Gorey but it has a serious problem with leaks throughout the building. The roof is a complete mess, posing a serious health and safety problem for pupils and staff. The school building project was given approval in 2022 but it has been delayed. Now, under emergency works, it has a quotation for €200,000. Why would the Department go down that route when there is already approval to have the roof fully replaced?

Another matter of concern is that we must support the upgrading of existing schools and facilities, whether they are in Kilmuckridge, Monaseed, Kilcommon National School or the development of a new all-weather pitch in St. Mary's College in Arklow. St. John's primary school in Arklow, which is categorised as a DEIS school, has no indoor PE or general-purpose hall. The management has been told the school's application for a PE hall will not be considered under the current funding module as the focus now is on providing classroom space. We need to give pride to DEIS schools. We must provide the best opportunities for each of these students. Gorey Educate Together school is providing an excellent educational service in an ever-expanding town but we need to see progress on the new school building.

It is essential that in the case of all approvals for new schools, we expedite the building process. Just as important is that existing schools must not be left behind in terms of their facilities. We must ensure all children get the education they deserve in the best possible environment we can offer.

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