John Cregan (Limerick West, Fianna Fail)

It is very much back. I welcome that. Many schools throughout the country have benefited tremendously from the success of the scheme. They replaced windows, improved sewerage facilities and repaired electrical faults, for example. I understand that when the scheme was suspended, many schools had already gone to the expense of preparing applications and sending them to the Department. I am not sure whether the applications are still in the Department or have been sent back. I would like those commitments to be honoured in the first instance. It is expensive to put applications together. I welcome the fact that this worthwhile scheme has been restored. I regret that the Government and the Minister have found themselves in circumstances in which tough decisions have had to be made.

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