Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)
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My second point relates to school places and the capital spend. The briefing from the Department refers to 40,000 places replaced or provided. However, I am looking at page 102 of the Estimates document, the details of programme. I see in 2018 an output target for additional places at primary, additional places at post-primary, enhance or replace at primary and enhance or replace at post-primary. There are a total of 18,900 for 2018. That is my addition but the officials can double check it. That reduces in 2019 to a total of 18,850. There are 50 fewer school places according to this document.

At the same time, however, the money provided for school buildings and capital services at primary and second level increased by €82.4 million, from €539.6 million to €622 million. That is an increase of approximately 20% per place. Are my figures correct? Am I reading the document correctly? This means that for the extra €82.4 million secured from the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, there are 50 fewer places. I invite the Minister to answer if his officials have the relevant information to allow him to do so.