James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The funding system is flawed and out of sync with construction costs. When a small rural school faces a shortfall of €62,000, something is wrong with the system. As construction has started at the school and is moving along steadily, time is against the school and the community in Drumlish. It is important that we bridge the gap of €62,000 and secure the extension. I welcome the Minister of State's remarks to the effect that, if the level of funding provided by the Department is not sufficient to cover the cost of the approved works, it will be open to the school authority to apply for additional funding. I have every confidence in the Minister of State that the request will be considered favourably. I have dealt with a large number of schools in terms of funding shortfalls and so on.

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