Lorraine Clifford-Lee (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for that update. Can we get somebody within the Department actually to liaise with the school? That information was not communicated to the board of management. It is operating in a vacuum and obviously has to report back to the parents and the whole community as to what is going on. However, when no communication is going back that is a frustrating situation for the board.

There is a bit of progress but this school project needs to be put on a fast track. It is unacceptable to wait for 17 years, considering the population demands. All schools have difficulties in retaining staff, particularly in Dublin. The Department expects staff to work in a building that is crumbling around them and is cold and damp in the winter. They patch up windows before they can teach a class in the morning. The Minister of State will understand the challenges that the principal is dealing with. We need to have somebody in the Department who will stay in contact. I realise they are busy people but this school and this community have waited long enough and they deserve better.