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

My constituency is not in the list in case the Deputy is wondering if there are developing areas in that part of Cork. I have always tried to maintain a balance in funding for schools throughout the country, and I will continue to maintain that balance. Last year, I put funding in place for a summer works scheme that enhanced 2,700 schools. They were not left out at all. The statistics for previous years show a fair spread of funding between developing areas and the rest of the country. I will continue to maintain that balance. There will be a further summer works scheme next year, with water conservation as part of the scheme. I have provided €30 million this year for minor works in schools throughout the country. Overall, 3,000 schools will have benefitted from that grant aid over the past 12 months.

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