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

The Deputy will understand that the letter to the school needed to be sent through the Secretary General, who is subject to the Comptroller and Auditor General. Some €33,917.44 was provided between 2003 and 2007. According to the information to hand, only €19,000 can be accounted for, leaving a potential balance of €14,610.

During the 2007-08 school year, a new security camera was purchased for €3,500. During the 2006-07 school year, €384.53 was spent on minor works. It is appropriate that my Department ask the pertinent question of the school, namely, where did the balance go and, if there is such a deficiency in the school, why was the minor works money not used to upgrade it in the appropriate manner. It would be inconsistent of us to do otherwise.

The situation begs another question. Why did the school only make an application in April 2008 for a new school to be built? Considering the area's topography, there are five small schools therein, some comprising approximately 14 pupils or fewer than 20 pupils. In these circumstances, it is appropriate for me as Minister to ask what opportunities for amalgamation of those small rural schools are available.

See this speech in context