Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)

The Minister said I would be aware of all this, but unfortunately I am not. I have asked several questions on the issue but did not get specific answers. I am glad to hear 1,300 projects are in the pipeline. However, schools are entitled to know where they stand. Up to two years ago schools were able to check their position on the website and this saved people much time, particularly officials from the Department. On the website people could see the prioritisation and banding given to their schools. I ask the Minister to reinstate that facility because it was the most democratic and transparent way of operating and showing schools where they stood. I accept assessments and prioritisations may change for demographic reasons etc. People should be made aware of those reasons. I urge the Minister to reconsider providing this type of information on the website. I and other Deputies do not want Department officials spending time answering parliamentary questions in regard to individual schools. However, local people in different areas come to us for information and want to know the banding and the priority being given. It is unacceptable that this information is not available.

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