Catherine Ardagh (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We learnt today that, unfortunately, two more schools have closed and up to 1,200 children are affected. The schools are the Educate Together in Tyrrelstown and St. Luke's national school in Mulhuddart. Parents have been told anecdotally that the schools should be open after Christmas. Other parents have been advised, however, that if their child is to attend school next September, they should consider putting that child on the transfer list. Parents are worried about what will happen to their children's education. Many more schools around the country seem to be affected than we initially thought.

Generally after any construction project, whether an extension, a house or a big project such as a school, a structural engineer will come in. It is very worrying that the Department of Education and Skills did not have its own structural engineer sign off on the completion of the schools at the time. It is important that the Minister now come to the Seanad to make a statement on how many schools are affected, why structural engineers did not sign off at the time the schools were completed, and to give us an overview of the schools affected.

On a separate issue, those aged more than 70 years must have a fitness form completed by their general practitioners, GPs. Many people older than 70 receive the GP-only medical card. This fitness form, however, is not covered by the card. This is an anomaly in the system and it is very unfair to pensioners to have to pay this fee. Pensioners are on a fixed income and there is no likelihood of that income increasing. Will the Leader bring this to the attention of the relevant Minister to ensure that this form is covered by the GP-only medical card?