Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

There are a number of programmes. I believe there is capacity in smaller schools to deliver devolved programmes. I also believe in the capacity of other public authorities in the delivery of devolved programmes of a larger size. This will happen; it is part of the new initiative I have in the new methodologies of delivering these programmes. I am sure the Deputy is familiar with a number of them.

The other important issue is that the full extent of expenditure of allocations in departmental announcements this year will not be until 2012. This is how the system works. It can be very frustrating and I know this from being a local Deputy for many years. The capital underspend on schools is €50 million. Last week, €24 million was spent on ICT. Clearly, a number of other timing issues exist. For example, for the first three months of this year it was very difficult to achieve any drawdown of expenditure on the basis of the weather, about which I could do very little. Other issues have it slowed down. I can state that this year there is a larger programme on site than last year and I will continue to ensure that expenditure takes place.

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