Kathryn Reilly (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I have two comments on the Minister of State's contribution that I would like her to relate to the Minister. The Minister of State said, "The primary focus of the plan is on meeting demographic demands to ensure every child will have access to a physical school place". Anyone who has visited the two campuses of Holy Family School in Cootehill will see the physical school space there is very cramped. As I mentioned in my contribution, with the addition of wheelchairs and specialised equipment, access to the physical school place is becoming very difficult. Every available space is being used. When I state the school is using every nook and cranny, I mean it and am not exaggerating.

Second, the Minister of State mentioned a demographic exercise to determine where school places might be needed. I hope this takes into account the special status of the school and those children with special needs for whom the school provides. Places are needed and the number increases every year but, unfortunately, the space is not getting any bigger. There is real demand.

I thank the Minister of State for responding on behalf of her colleague, the Minister for Education and Skills, to whom I ask that my views be relayed. I will probably keep raising this issue on the Commencement debate in one guise or another because I want to keep it on the agenda.