Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I regret I had to make the choice between ensuring net additional accommodation was available for the increasing number of young people who continue to be born in this country and the maintenance of older schools in need of repair. The old saying, "A stitch in time saves nine", comes immediately to mind. Early intervention in many cases will reduce or remove the need for more substantial repairs down the road. I hope to return to the minor works scheme, which provides approximately €5,400 per primary school, if resources allow but, as I have said repeatedly, if I have to choose between a child looking into a field or a playground, I have to make the choice in favour of the playground and new school. That means with limited resources I cannot do what was good practice in the past, but I would like to return to that as soon as resources permit.

The Minister mentioned the emergency fund of €10 million. Given that we no longer have the minor works grant, is the Minister expecting an upsurge in the number of applications for the emergency fund? Is the Minister satisfied that the fund, which he put in place, will be adequate to deal with that upsurge?

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