Tim Lombard (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I have the deepest respect for the Minister of State and I know him a long time, but that answer just beggars belief. We are dealing with a scenario where the local authority has come on board to make sure the outside of the school is made safe by putting in footpaths, lines and a new road, and now the Department will not come halfway to meet the actual people. It is the second time Department of Education has washed its hands of the safety issues here. The local authority came on board and there was even a contribution given by the community to make sure it came on board. Now, because of that, we have minor works that need to be done which are a safety issue. The pedestrian access on the lower side of the school has been closed. We have no vehicle access for, God forbid, an emergency there.

The Department does not believe that is part of its remit. I do not understand why the Department will not engage in a face-to-face location outside the school gate. It needs to be seen to be believed. The Department does not see it because it is looking at an application made through a portal. Will the Minister of State, for whom I have the deepest respect, ask the Minister's Department to physically meet the board of management and the principal? It will then understand the issue. A blind man could see the issue when it is actually seen on the ground.