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

I am referring to the most recent information that has been made available to me.

With regard to the Department and the use of the GIS, two years ago we had a serious problem in the context of finding accommodation for the various pupils who entered the system. Last year, however, as a result of outstanding co-operation on the part of county and city managers, the Department accurately predicted what would be the level of demand. I am confident that we will continue to anticipate the emerging needs, particularly in light of the co-operation that exists among the various entities. The current system is similar to a one-stop-shop and I am delighted with the current level of co-operation. I thank local authorities and city and county managers for that co-operation. What we are doing appears to be working extremely well. The new GIS system can continue to expand.

However, I must consider priorities and as a former Minister for Finance, Deputy Quinn is aware of how one prioritises one's spending within a Department. On foot of the exposition I have provided to him, he can see that putting in place the information he seeks will be an extremely difficult and long-term process. How strategic is this in the shorter term? Is it more strategic for me to spend money that will ensure I can put a roof over the children who will attend our schools in the present generation? Is it more strategic for me to understand that there are indentures in place that will protect the investment the State has made over time? At a time of limited resources, my emphasis must be on providing accommodation for the pupils who will enter the system and I consider that to be my first priority. I do not wish to take from what Deputy Quinn seeks to achieve, nor does this take from my desire to achieve it either, but the pace at which this can be done and the difficulty relating to collating all that material, some of which predates the establishment of primary schools, means this is a difficult and onerous task that will not be delivered within a short time.

Written Answers follow Adjournment Debate.

See this speech in context