Michael McDowell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for being here today. My involvement in this matter arises from a representation made to me by a colleague at work, a parent who has children in the school and received a letter warning him that, as and from 1 April, the school will close its doors and that the parent might attempt distance education. One can imagine what that means for working parents, single parents and the like. It would be a disaster. No parent should be confronted with a letter stating that they have three weeks to relocate their children.

I note the Taoiseach was asked in the Dáil about this matter by Deputy Paul Murphy and indicated that, despite some delay from late November when the crisis became acute, something is now in hand. No parent should be confronted with a letter of this kind. I would have been shocked to receive it when my kids went to primary school. Everything Senator Ruane said about a vulnerable community with disadvantaged children makes it doubly sad that a situation like this could have arisen.