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

Before responding to Deputy Hayes, I apologise to Deputy Quinn for providing him with an incorrect figure. To clarify, there are 151, not 159, additional classrooms.

I understand the number of existing applications to the schools building programme is in the region of 1,200. I will get the precise figure for Deputy Hayes in due course. Regarding the diversion of funding, it should be noted that information and communications technology provision is part of the capital programme. An allocation of €10 million was set aside for ICT this year and it is my intention to spend that money before the end of the year.

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