Neale Richmond (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his response and for his interest in Ballinteer Educate Together national school. I cannot over-emphasise that this was the third application to be made in respect of this project. This has been going on for eight years. There are children who will go through their entire primary school cycle without ever seeing the inside of the proposed permanent building. There are teachers who are preparing to retire who will not get to teach in the proposed permanent building.

The two issues that were flagged in the local authority's recent planning decision are not new. The issue of access to Parkvale has been going on for the entire 40-year history of the neighbouring secondary school. There was a lengthy public campaign against allowing access to Parkvale. Similarly, the issue of access to Wyckham Avenue is not a new one.

I appreciate the Minister's commitment to reviewing the local authority's response and to considering the possibility of an appeal. While I welcome that, something more is required. I ask the Minister to organise a meeting at the highest possible level between the CEO of the local authority and the school principal to see whether we can get this over the line. It is no longer sufficient to rely on appeals and reviews.Serious action is required. The Minister must take the matter in hand and deliver this school.