Neale Richmond (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Like Senator Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, I want to raise a number of issues in the educational sphere. I am well aware of the industrial action taking place today; I drove past five pickets on my way here. However, the issues I want to raise are specific to a number of schools and proposed schools in south Dublin. Last week, we learned of the disappointing closure of Notre Dame School after almost 60 years. It is a girls' primary and secondary school which has famous past pupils such as Deputy Mary Lou McDonald. I ask the Leader to invite the Minister for Education and Skills to the House to discuss the future plans for this school and the accommodation plans for current teachers and pupils. This is a huge issue for the large community around Churchtown.

I ask the Leader to invite the Minister to the House to allow us discuss issues relating to the delay in establishing full-time permanent accommodation both for Ballinteer Educate Together national school and Stepaside Educate Together secondary school, which are experiencing delays in gaining an access point for an agreed site and, in terms of the latter, securing a site. I would appreciate it if we could have that debate as soon as possible.