Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)

Has the Minister had discussions with the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment and the Minister for Finance in respect of the schools building programme in the context of some of the reasons outlined by Deputy Quinn? Expanding this programme could act as a stimulus to the economy and could assist in returning people to employment. Has the Minister considered segmenting some of the projects, which would thereby allow them to come in under the EU's radar, in order that local builders and developers and, by extension, local economies might benefit? There are four schools in my constituency which are paying out in excess of €100,000 for prefabs. That is money down the drain.

See this speech in context