Tim Lombard (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will follow a trend in today's contribution by raising the efforts by the Minister for Education and Skills to clarify the position in respect of 30 schools that have been affected by unfortunate building habits in recent months and years. Several of these schools are in Cork, including one in Clonakilty. This is a cause of serious concern. Speaking to parents and teachers from that part of the world, they were genuinely concerned about how this could have happened and what recourse will be available. Will this issue affect the education of their children? What plans have been made?

Clarification is required sooner rather than later regarding the reasons the schools are in this condition and the plans in place to ensure this cannot happen again. Children attending these schools need to know if their schools are damaged and, if so, how bad that damage is. I hope the Leader will get clarity for the thousands of children and hundreds of teachers who are affected by this issue. They need assurance that their school is a safe location and they can do what they are supposed to in school.