Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Acting Chairperson. I also endorse and share the concerns that I have seen on the ground working in my locality. I have seen very vulnerable families who are under significant pressure in having to deal with the burden and stress, first, of getting a school place and, second, getting a school place which is a great distance away. That is not good enough and I feel for those families.

Potentially, we should meet the senior Minister, Deputy Foley, and the Minister of State, Deputy Madigan, again on this issue because, as the Senator has quite rightly pointed out in respect of the reply, it is factual to say that there are 30 places in the areas referred to but they are not meeting the demand. That is the key point. The families are placed under pressure then because this demand is not being met. That is completely unacceptable given the amount of money we are spending on education. It would be important to meet both Ministers to try to shine a spotlight on this issue and to push as hard as we can to have it resolved.