Responding to reports in the Irish media illustrating the appalling conditions many schools face and the stalled school building programme, Fine Gael Education Spokesman, Brian Hayes said that the Education Minister must immediately give the green light to the 26 building projects which are ready to go but waiting the approval of the Department.

Deputy Hayes had exclusively revealed that 26 schools across the country have builders ready to start on new building projects but cannot get cash from the Department to begin construction. Despite raising this issue two weeks ago, Minister O'Keeffe still has not responded to the call leaving these schools, and hundreds of others, out in the cold.

"The reports in the Examiner of overcrowded classrooms, hundreds of children using one toilet and broken Government promises are infuriating but nothing new.

"Minister O'Keeffe, his predecessor and the Fianna Fáil-led Government have broken promises, misled schools and today's reports highlight the dire effects of treating children like this.

"It is clear that a new era of cutbacks is upon us and this is seen most clearly with the 26 schools that are stuck on a list while the Department of Education refuses to give them the green light.

"In all cases they have completed the lengthy 'staged' process employed by the Department over many years and the only decision left to take is for the Minister to allow the schools to move to construction stage. They have obtained approval for their plans from Departmental officials, have planning permission and have builders selected for the works.

"This process often takes ten years and, having completed all of the bureaucratic requirements imposed by the Department, each of the schools does not know at this stage where it stands and the likely start date.

"I raised this issue with the Minister two weeks ago but he still has not responded. This is not good enough. These schools deserve better."

Comments (0) »

Show/Hide comment form

Name

Email

Title

Comment

Write the displayed characters

Add Comment