I speak today on behalf of the pupils, teachers and parents of Carrigtwohill school campus in east Cork. The three new school buildings, Carrigtwohill Community College, Scoil Chlíodhna and Scoil Mhuire Naofa, were opened in 2023. These schools have the most modern facilities but, unfortunately, do not have a green area for recreation. However, there is a green area immediately adjacent to the schools and owned by the Department of education. Planning permission has been granted by Cork County Council for an entrance and access way, but no works have yet taken place. While the scope of works and costs have been provided, the Department has recommended that a more cost-effective solution be considered. I am unsure why this could possibly be. As such, it cannot be guaranteed that the area will be made available by September, almost three years after the schools opened. I ask the Tánaiste to engage directly with the Minister and her Department to ensure this green area is made available as soon as possible for the September back-to-school period. These are great facilities. The issue is there to be resolved.

I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. I know it is one he has been working on for some time. The Carrigtwohill school campus project is the largest single school building project ever undertaken by the Department of education, and it will serve a school community of about 2,400 pupils. The Department tells me that it has had a positive and productive engagement with the three schools and the patrons through all stages of the project, and it will continue to support the schools on the new school campus. The project was completed towards the end of 2023, with a 1,000-pupil post-primary school, Carrigtwohill Community School, and two 24-classroom primary schools, Carrigtwohill Community National School and Scoil Mhuire Naofa. It includes 14 classes and three projects for children with special educational needs, three general purpose, GP, areas, a PE hall and 13 ball courts in total.

I am aware of this issue of the lack of a green space, given that Deputy McCarthy has told me about it. I understand the school has now sought to use a green area that forms part of the site. It is not suitable as a formal playing pitch because it is an attenuation basin under the flood management system, but the Department wants to work with the schools to see if they can get it as an informal recreation space. I undertake to work intensively with Deputy McCarthy and the Minister, Deputy Naughton, to try to get that in place for the new school year.