Midleton secondary school places
Deputy Buckley asked about urgent secondary school capacity needs in Midleton and whether a new school would be built. The Taoiseach pointed to substantial investment in Carrigtohill and said he would check the remaining placement pressures with Education.
I raise the lack of secondary school places, especially in Midleton. I acknowledge the Carrigtohill campus is going ahead but I was made aware the Minister for Education had turned to asking the additional schools to open additional classes last year. I ask the Taoiseach if there are any plans to build another secondary school in Midleton.
Comment on this
Deputy Buckley, along with Deputies O'Connor, Stanton and others, has been raising this issue for quite some time about the need in the east of County Cork. Very substantial investment has, as Deputy Buckley knows, been sanctioned for the Carrigtohill site. I understand there are further challenges with school placements. I will follow that through with the Department of Education and see where we are.