Mary Moran (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his response. I am slightly disappointed as I knew exactly what the school completion programmes did. I have all the information. I also received the information in the Adjournment reply, verbatim, in a letter I received from the Minister last week. I do not just speak about Dundalk; I speak about County Louth as a whole, where last week it was reported that between 2010 and 2015 a total of €785,804 has been cumulatively lost to projects. The Tusla mission statement refers to putting the child first. We must put the child first. I plead with the Minister not to proceed with the proposed cut. Why send out letters to people and ask them to work within the current parameter? They could be cut again but nothing has been decided.

That is the reason I raised this issue for debate today as it is relatively early in the year and we have time to put in place provision so everybody will know the position. The Minister said it is hoped the review will be completed by September and that the position will then be known, but we should know the position now in June because national schools are finishing up at the end of the week for the summer holidays. We should be aware of the position in June to know what plans can be made in September and not have to wait until the end of August to find out exactly what will happen. I ask the Minister for a definite answer for these schools in the five areas that have school completion programmes in County Louth and for other schools throughout the country to ensure we have a much clearer picture of the position and can give our children the chance they deserve.