James Reilly (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Cathaoirleach and his staff, the Clerk of the Seanad and the Clerk Assistant of the Seanad, for all the help they have given us over the past year. We look forward to our new home in the autumn. I also join in congratulating Commissioner Hogan on his award from Austria.

Like other speakers, I wish to refer to the new census figures. It would be useful if the Minister for Education and Skills was invited to the House after the recess to discuss his capital budget. He has a very strong capital plan and he plans to build 300 new schools over the next number of years at a rate of 50 schools per year. It is a big commitment and I support him.

The former Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government, Deputy Coveney, made 75% of funding available for a new road upgrade for Mooretown, Swords. The initiative would open up the area for 3,000 badly needed houses and it is planned to build a school complex comprising a community secondary school and two primary schools. Swords badly needs this because there is pressure to build temporary school accommodation at St. Finian's Community College in Swords. The opportunity to purchase the site should not be missed and Fingal County Council is nearly in a position to do so. If the Minister were to direct his Department to instruct Fingal County Council to purchase the site, the development could be expedited and we could have a high grade temporary facility put in place in a new home for September 2018 while the new school is being completed. The plan is very good because it also involves the upgrading of footpaths and a cycleway. We could tick a lot of boxes as children could cycle and walk to school safety. We would also get badly needed houses for an ever growing population. Nowhere else is growing as fast as Fingal. The development would provide the best of opportunities for children.

Today, the National Competitive Council issued its report. Two lines of the press release stood out, first, that the "strong macroeconomic performance is masking threats to national competitiveness", and, second, the "foundations of future growth must be secured". Surely, above all things, the foundation for future growth is our youth. Therefore, we must make sure that they are well educated, that they have proper housing and that they can live in a safe environment. I call on the Leader to invite the Minister to come to the House in the autumn to address these issues.