Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Different schools are moving at difference paces.

On school halls, I understand the Deputy's point. I visit schools throughout the country all the time. I am aware of the issues and challenges. School halls are in the national development plan, which is running until 2030. It is a significant financial investment. A general purpose hall costs approximately €1 million and a sports hall costs approximately €3 million. It is a big investment. I have asked my officials to look at a mechanism for bringing back the completion date from 2030. It is in the plan but it demands freeing up considerable financial resources. I am appearing before the committee with a Supplementary Estimate of €852 million, which is substantial for a Department with an entire budget of almost €10 billion. There are pressures in the capital vote. On the other side, 360 projects in construction this year will be completed in 2023. That will create 30,000 places, including 1,900 places in special education. In addition, 150 building projects are at different stages of development within the Department. There is a huge amount of building and construction under way, notwithstanding the specific issue the Deputy raised regarding school halls. This issue is on my agenda. It will be a matter of finding the resources and bringing the programme forward from 2030 closer. That is where we are at present.

I was not prepared for another question.