Aodhán Ó Ríordáin (Labour) | Oireachtas source

Ba mhaith liom buíochas a ghabháil leis an Aire. Unfortunately, I find the answer disappointing. The Minister can appreciate how disappointing it is from the school's point of view, having waited so long for a permanent building only to get an indication from the Department that it does not foresee an opportunity to replace the building because it is a two-storey semi-permanent structure with a lifespan of 25 to 30 years. I accept what the Minister says about the two permanent classrooms but I note that there is a site beside the school which is to be developed by Dublin City Council. It is a major development with potential for 500 housing units. There is a perfect opportunity here for the Department to engage with Dublin City Council regarding the site in order to find a permanent answer for the needs of this school. I implore the Minister. To say that a temporary building has a 25 to 30-year lifespan, considering that it is already ten years old, does not provide much succour to the people who care about the school. I ask that the Department engages with Dublin City Council to find a long-term solution for this much-loved and needed school in this community. I ask the Minister to engage more imaginatively to find a permanent solution. This school and its current and future pupils deserve no less.