Schools crisis – Parents want action not promises

AS Education Minister Noel Dempsey’s whirlwind tour of Ireland draws to a close, the question being asked by frustrated parents and pupils up and down the country is whether it was really worthwhile.

Doubtless, with elections looming, the minister’s answer will be a resounding “yes” when he visits Cork today before the final stages of his grand tour in Waterford city and Tallaght, Dublin.

But from a pragmatic viewpoint, it is extremely doubtful if the string of 17 meetings with local communities will result in extra resources so new classrooms can be built in place of overcrowded Portakabins, leaks fixed, new schools constructed or extra teachers provided for children with special needs.