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

The Minister has mentioned the building programme, which is important, but I have learned from experience that there are definite issues with site acquisitions and in some cases the wrong sites have been chosen. Also, it has proven difficult to secure leases for some chosen sites. Recently, a school was granted planning permission in my constituency. Despite the fact that 15 years have elapsed since an agreement was reached, no lease has been signed for a site located in Monasterevin, County Kildare. Therefore, meetings with local authorities are very important, particularly in terms of the growing demand for school places in Dublin, Kildare, Wicklow, Meath, Cork and Galway due to growing populations. Choosing the right site is crucially important. We must ensure there are no impediments to building once a budget has been sanctioned and planning has been granted because tenders can be issued.