Fiona O'Loughlin (Kildare South, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Before I go back to the Minister of State, I want to comment on the whole issue of prefabs. On Deputy Jan O'Sullivan's point, there should definitely be a better system.

A building which is already there could be utilised and supported financially rather than maintaining existing prefabs which have gone way beyond their sell-by date. There is also possibility of new prefabs. I thought we had gone past that stage. It is a waste of money.

On the question of grants I welcome the provision regarding the minor works scheme. From having spoken to a number of principals and boards of management - I am sure everybody has done the same - I understand small grants are being drip fed throughout the year. From a school planning point of view, it would be much easier if at the end of the school year in June or July every school had a sense of what they would have for the next 12 months. That would allow them to plan appropriately. To a certain extent, I include some grants outside of the control of the Department, such as the sports capital grant. First time schools were included in that for the first time. I appreciate there is no control over that. The life of a principal is difficult and, but trying to plan for all eventualities without knowing whether they will get the required money is very difficult.