Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
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I want to speak about Gaelscoil Choláiste Mhuire, Parnell Square in Dublin 1. Some of the stories and the image given of the square paint a pretty negative picture of the building itself, but contained in it are incredible teachers and wonderful students who for decades have been failed by the infrastructure and not by the intention of those who teach and provide care within it. Gaelscoil Choláiste Mhuire has been housed in unsuitable emergency accommodation for 20 years. This is despite a suitable location being available since 2010. After waiting for what seemed like an eternity, it received news that contracts were ready for a new building on Dominick Street only for their hopes to be dashed by the Government's decision to hold the development of 58 schools.

Construction of Gaelscoil Choláiste Mhuire is still ready to commence in April. It is a project that would greatly benefit the regeneration of Dublin's north inner city and provide wider benefit for the surrounding community. This is a school that is located just off O'Connell Street. It would have ramifications for the entire city. Mindlessly delaying the project would result in children continuing to inhabit a building on Parnell Square that is nothing short of dangerous. This is the testimony of the students themselves and their parents. It is dilapidated and falling apart. It poses a serious risk to its young students. No child should have to risk harm to attend school. This is where we are with this school. I have spoken to parents who attended the school 20 years ago. They said it was unsuitable for habitation then, let alone now. Even if its occupants are fortunate enough to avoid getting hurt, they still face unsuitable conditions for an adequate education. The classrooms are cramped, with crumbling plasterwork. There is no universal access. The staircase poses risks to students and teachers, there is no assembly hall and the playground is a car park. It is quite a dystopian image I am presenting and I want to say it is not reflective of the teachers, the principal and all the great things that happen in the school.

All the while, public money is being misspent on exorbitant rents for subpar buildings. If these delays are being credited to a lack of funds, the Government should stop needlessly spending money on short-term solutions when long-term investment would pay greater dividends. When used by the Government, the word "commitment" seems to have truly lost its meaning. For this reason I ask that, in his response, the Minister of State avoids using it because the word stings for parents, teachers, the principal and the children in Gaelscoil Choláiste Mhuire who have heard about this commitment for 20 years. They need action. They have no reason to believe the Government is committed to redeveloping the school when, for more than 20 years, it simply has not, despite a location being available and we have a shovel-ready project ready to begin in April. They were convinced it was going to begin in April. They were told this but now it is not happening. They worry for their children's safety when they go to school each day. These empty promises remind them of the hopelessness they have faced for the past 20 years. I would love if the Minister of State and the Government were to take immediate action and make sure construction of Gaelscoil Choláiste Mhuire's new building on Dominick Street begins without delay.

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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I thank Deputy Gannon for raising this very important matter for his community. It provides me with an opportunity to outline on behalf of the Minister for Education, who is unable to attend this evening, the current position on the major building project for Gaelscoil Choláiste Mhuire on Parnell Square. The project is included in the Department of Education's construction programme, which will be delivered under the national development plan as part of the 2040 framework. The Department of Education's planning and building unit is assessing its work programme and priorities for 2023 in the context of overall requirements and available funding. The most immediate priorities are to cater for September 2023 requirements. I reassure Deputy Gannon and the Gaelscoil Choláiste Mhuire community that the school building projects on hold due to capital funding pressures will be progressed and delivered. It is a question of timing. We understand the urgency with this matter and other projects, and our aim is to get them progressed and delivered as quickly as possible. The Department will provide an update to the school authorities when there is further clarity on the progression of this significant project.

Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
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I thank the Minister of State for stepping in to give the response. I appreciate this is not his Department. I am also conscious that should an answer such as this be given about a school in his area, he would not be satisfied. None of us would be. I appreciate there are capital construction costs and increasing construction costs due to a number of factors, not least the war in Ukraine. However, this school is crumbling at the seams. Everyone comes here and speaks about the needs in their constituencies, and that is fair enough and par for the course in Parliament. This school is literally crumbling. The staircase is dangerous. The cornice is coming down from the ceiling.

This is a Gaelscoil in an area that has tried to prioritise the language. It was not suitable for purpose 20 years ago. Ten years ago it was a danger to the students who were there. Today we are at the point where it is a risk even to open the doors in the school. I would not raise this as a Topical Issue lightly. I am sure there are other schools in my area that will also be among the 58 delayed schools. This school is an emergency and it has to be treated as such. It is simply not acceptable that students would be asked to be educated in an environment where they are warned to be cautious before they walk up the stairs. The health and safety awareness classes in the school factor in that the school itself is dangerous. Students in very few other schools have to deal with this. This does not have anything to do with the wider environment or social issue. The school is lovely in every single way. Family members of mine have been there. It is just that the building itself is a danger. I would argue, and the Minister of State may say I would do so, that this school, more than any other school, requires urgent action.

Urgency and immediacy are required from the State. It must step in because this is grossly unfair to students and with regard to the advancement of the language and the dignity of the children, staff, parents and guardians who have to risk sending their kids to the school so they can learn the language. We need urgency. I thank the Minister of State from coming to the Chamber.

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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I thank Deputy Gannon for his remarks. I fully accept and appreciate the urgency of dealing with the conditions his community is facing in regard to this very important project. I will relay his dissatisfaction to the Minister for Education. I understand it is very important to get these projects progressed. One special school and one secondary school in the bundle are in my constituency. These schools are awaiting news and I hope they get it in the coming days. We will all press this issue. We discussed progressing these projects last night. They are so critical, especially to the special schools that are caught up in this. We will work in the next few days and hopefully get a good result on it.