Ulick Burke (Galway East, Fine Gael)

Where stand the remainder? They are obviously in limbo. The standard reply we get to parliamentary questions is "however, in the light of current competing demands on the capital budget for the Department, it is not possible to give any indicative timescale for the progression of this project". The previous Minister for Education and Science said in February that a further list would be announced after Easter but, obviously, that time has passed and no announcement has been made. Should we expect, therefore, that the Minister will indicate a timescale for the remainder of the 54 that were originally announced in February in addition to those that should have been announced at Easter?

Does the Minister have a timescale for the completion of the review that is taking place in the Department? Will he announce the outcome of this review? The Minister says there is now an indicative group established in the Department for these projects. I know of a particular case in which no capital expenditure demand is placed on the Department and in which a programme is being put in place, under a PPP scheme, with the Department. The physical building, completed to the standards required of the Department of Education and Science and fully fitted, is being provided on the site for the Minister and the Department to consider without any capital demand. It will be leased back to the Department for a period to be agreed at the Minister's discretion. Surely this is an opportunity for the Minister because there is a dire need for projects to proceed urgently. The Minister cannot turn his back on such a proposal if there is any understanding in the Department.

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