Schools Building Projects
Dail Éireann — 2026-03-25
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Alan Kelly (LAB), Tipperary North

I thank the Minister of State and do not doubt his sincerity. I will ask one question very quickly. Will he meet me, and dare I say it, Deputies Lowry and O'Meara along with the ETB about these four schools? Will he please ask the Department to do that? This is not about politics and I want the other two Deputies included. These four schools are in serious trouble. The ETB is very worried, annoyed and angry about what has happened here. In his reply, will the Minister of State also confirm whether any supplemental funding will be available for capital projects or will the school projects I mentioned be pushed out until after 2027?
On Coláiste Phobal Ros Cré, I believe there is discrimination going on against Roscrea. It is not a political priority. It is a huge school. The enrolment is dropping. More students are being bussed to Thurles because of the condition of the school.
There is an excellent board of management and an excellent chair of that board of management. This is totally wrong. The management of Coláiste Mhuire in Thurles has been managing roof leaks and suspended ceilings, which are health and safety issues, for years. This will be a health and safety issue, if it is not dealt with. Newport College cannot sustain where it is going. It does not have the capacity to manage the volume of students. Let us look at the population index for that area and wonder where the students are going to go if this project does not proceed.
Finally, I am going to say it straight out. There are young students in Nenagh who have no classroom facing into September and sixth class, one of the most formative years of their education. They have no classroom. It is as simple as that. A huge amount of investment and time has gone into the school over the years. I know because I helped with it. Those are the four schools I am referring to. Will the Minister of State please come back to me? Can we have a meeting with all three Deputies on these four schools? Will more money be coming before 2028?

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2026-03-25/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:54:47+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-03-25