Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The urgency with which this is addressed is crucial because of the need of the three schools involved and also because the way it has been handled up to now by the Department leaves a lot to be desired. If we go back three years, a site had been identified at that stage but the Department then restarted the clock, went back to basics and restarted the whole process of identifying a site. It changed its agreement as to how sites should be identified from one of working with local education and training boards, which in this instance was Donegal ETB, to asking county councils to carry out that work instead. Given that a new agreement was signed by the Department, it restarted the process entirely. This means we are now only as far forward as we were three years ago with regard to identifying a preferred site and trying to ensure that site is purchased. It is crucial there is no further delay in this regard. I ask the Minister to live up to his commitment to do his utmost to ensure this process is concluded.

With regard to the capital programme, when will the money be brought forward to build this campus? The period from 2019-21 is indicated in the capital plan.

Will the Minister ensure in his review of the capital plan that he will reconsider bringing that funding forward to ensure the three-school campus can be built as soon as possible?

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