Joe Neville (Kildare North, Fine Gael)

Last week, I spoke about the need for infrastructure in north Kildare. Today I am speaking specifically about the need for more school infrastructure. Earlier this year, I visited St. Patrick's National School in Celbridge, which has been operating out of temporary prefabs for the past 18 years. It is planned that the school will be part of a new three-school campus along with St. Raphael's Special School and Celbridge Community School. The new campus has been delayed. It should have been in place by now but we have not got there. There are students who entered the school's prefabs on their first day in junior infants and have graduated from sixth class. I appreciate temporary buildings are needed but they are by nature temporary rather than permanent. On my visit to the school, I saw at first hand the dedication of the school community. I also saw the prefabs and the impact they have had on the school over the past 18 years.

The big question on the lips of many parents from Celbridge to Naas, and from Maynooth to Kilcock, is where their children will go to secondary school next year. That is also a serious issue. I have two asks today. Can we ensure that in the capital plan there are additional places for new secondary and primary schools in north Kildare? More importantly, can we have an answer on the three-school campus?

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