Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will check the history of this. I can only go back to November 2015 when this was announced as being on a building programme. The Department has moved that ahead of the schedule that was then set out.

No Senator knows better than Senator Reilly the difficulties we went through between 2010 and 2014 which was the planning date initially hoped for. No doubt one of the reasons for the delay had to do with the economic crisis that prevailed in those times when schedules were disrupted. I will check that history. It is on a clear schedule. Not only does the Department treat it as a priority, but by its action in bringing it forward ahead of its original schedule, it shows an appreciation of the difficulties for the school and for parents.

Of course I am happy to meet and reassure parents but I am also sure the Department will facilitate the school in temporary accommodation should that be necessary given the pressure on the school in the short term. I will do my very best to keep this on track but I do not directly control difficulties with tenders and construction. They arise from sources I cannot always identify in advance. I thank the Senator for raising the issue.