Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)

This is why my Department consulted the education partners with regard to prioritisation criteria for the allocation of large scale capital funding and why these criteria are published. They are clear and unambiguous and they bring an openness and transparency as to how projects are selected for inclusion in the school building and modernisation programme. Not alone has their introduction improved the management of the building progamme but they also ensure a clear-cut selection process and an orderly advancement, over time, of all school building projects, with the most urgent need being addressed first. They are subject at all times, however, as is the project for Kilfinane, or any other project, to the availability of funding.

I will continue my review and I assure both Deputies, as I assured Deputy Cregan, that I am quite concerned that we progress this matter as soon as possible but I will not be making any decision on this progress until such time as I have completed the review. I have asked the parents——

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