Pringle says Government’s decision to put school construction on hold will cost a fortune
- Updated: 23rd March 2023
Independent TD for Donegal, Thomas Pringle, said the Government’s decision to put long-awaited school construction projects on hold will cost a fortune, citing work at Gaelscoil na gCeithre Máistrí as an example.
Addressing the Tánaiste in the Dáil today, Deputy Pringle said: “It’s three weeks now since your government’s latest mismanagement of the state’s finances resulted in the halting of 58 school building projects.
“Yesterday, I received an unfortunately pathetic reply to a simple question to the Minister for Education asking her to list the projects and the costs.
“She couldn’t or wouldn’t do it. Why the secrecy? Why not tell people what you have done.
“I know you should be ashamed, but what are you trying to hide from the opposition on this?” he said.
The deputy raised the issue during questions on policy or legislation.
Deputy Pringle said: “The reality on the ground in Donegal is that these knee-jerk, badly thought-out delays are going to cost a fortune.
“I’ll give you an example of the Gaelscoil in Donegal town. They have been told to stop, after having appointed a clerk of works, contractor appointed, shovels are about to go into the ground.
“If the delay continues, the contracted price will wither, and the school will be faced with retendering in an inflation-driven market. You couldn’t make this farce up.
“That’s what parents, teachers and children in Donegal now want to know: When will this project be sorted?” he said.
In his response, the Tánaiste, Micheál Martin, said it will be resolved and resolved quickly.
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