Emer Currie (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I recognise the passing of Dr. Ali from Tyrrelstown in west Dublin and I pay tribute to his life, work and sacrifice, and that of his very young family. I also acknowledge the seven other health workers in Ireland who tragically lost their lives because of Covid-19. Their names and that of Dr. Ali should be remembered.

Yesterday, we had the announcement of the July jobs initiative, which includes €75 million for minor works for primary and secondary schools to prepare for the much anticipated and needed return to school. There has been an ambitious schools building programme under way since 2019, with commitments to build 42 primary and secondary throughout the State. This excludes all of the major extensions that have been going on in recent years to deal with our growing population needs. One of the schools committed to is in what is described as Blanchardstown west and Blanchardstown village, but will actually look after the needs of people west of the M50 and south of the N3, in areas such as Ongar, Clonsilla and Carpenterstown. It will accommodate 800 secondary school students. It will open in temporary accommodation in September and is under the patronage of Dublin and Dún Laoghaire Education and Training Board with an accomplished team of teachers. Its name is Ériu community college and Ériu is where Éire comes from. Despite all of this good news, the school does not yet have a permanent site. A permanent site has not been identified and this is a barrier to enrolment, particularly at this uncertain time. Will the Leader request an update from the Minister for Education and Skills on the permanent site for this school? I know that next week we will have a discussion with the Minister for Education and Skills but perhaps she will come to the Seanad in September to discuss the capital programme and the needs we have identified in our communities.