Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Minister, Deputy Foley, is leading a very ambitious programme of school building. The outturn last year in respect of capital spend was that her Department spent its budget and a lot more besides. The Government came to an arrangement with the Minister to enable an acceleration of the school building programme because we recognise the importance of ensuring that school places are provided in the areas where they are most needed. Overall, the data that schools have shared with the Department of Education indicates that there are sufficient places available in the vast majority of areas. Names can be on multiple lists. Schools co-operate and ensure that they allocate their places in accordance with their enrolment policy. We are increasing the provision of school places in the areas where they are most needed but the Minister will take note of the specific location the Deputy has raised.

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