Greystones campus and Naas school
Deputy Whitmore asked for an update on the Greystones media campus and its safeguards, and Deputy Cronin raised the long delay in fitting out the Mercy Convent school in Naas. The Taoiseach said he would seek updates on Greystones and begin responding on the Naas school issue.
We asked the Taoiseach about the Greystones media campus. This is a €300 million project, which will be Ireland's largest production facility. It is a joint venture between John Sisk & Son Limited and the Irish Strategic Investment Fund, ISIF. It was to start opening in 2024. The diggers were on site and cleared a few trees but there has been no activity on site for at least the past nine months. Can the Taoiseach give an update on that project and can he also outline what kinds of safeguard the ISIF has put in place to ensure that the development will happen when it is due to do so?
Comment on this
I also want to wish the Taoiseach well in a personal capacity today.
We had the children from the Mercy Convent Catholic Primary School in Naas here at Leinster House protesting about their school today. For the past seven years, they have been walking past a magnificent school building, with two prefabricated buildings, while the Department of Education dithers and delays over the fitting out of their new school building. Students have spent their whole school lives walking past this school and unable to get in. The school is within reach and out of touch, just like this Government. There can be no more delay and the parents and families, staff and children have had enough. What is the plan to finish off the school and finally open it up to the children of Naas?
Comment on this
I thank the Deputies for their questions. On valuations, as I mentioned earlier, when there is a revaluation, some people see their rates going up and others see them going down. Overall, there is no increase in revenue. People are encouraged to make appeals to the Valuation Tribunal but I will check with the Minister about the delays there and if something can be done in the interim.
I do not have an update on the Greystones media campus but I will seek it from the Minister for Finance and will come back to the Deputy in writing.
On the Mercy Convent Catholic Primary School in Naas, a number of Deputies have raised this issue. I will look into it and will come back to Deputy Cronin in writing. I do not know the reason for the delay but I can understand why it must be very frustrating for the children, parents and staff.