Marie Sherlock (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State. From what I have heard, we still have no date for completion. We hear that meetings are taking place and I am in contact with the school community, which is being informed of meetings, but we are not clear on what key changes are going to ensure the project is progressed. I have full respect for the Minister of State's campaign for Dún Laoghaire Educate Together, but Gaelscoil Choláiste Mhuire is dealing with the trauma of what happened to that school and its community last November. We have monthly meetings between public representatives and the school community and there are a lot of soothing words about what supports have been and will be put in place for the school community, but the most crucial aspect of all of that is the new school building and the Department of Education has dropped the ball.

It was only when the school community kicked up in September that this series of processes was put in place. It should not be like that. It should not fall to the school management to have to raise its hand and ask what is happening here. My appeal today should be about not just Gaelscoil Choláiste Mhuire but any other school project in the country that has been delayed. The Department of Education has a job to do, namely, to get the school buildings built, and it should not be the responsibility of the principal and the board of management to kick up a fuss. It is simply unacceptable in this day and age that we are having these conversations.