Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

On Western Building Systems, there is legal action under way in respect of four schools where works related to fire safety have been or are being carried out by the Department. That number includes Ardgillan community college. We will have to see how this issue develops with regard to structural problems in the schools but if the company has not built these schools up to standard it is absolutely the intention of Government and the Department of Education and Skills to pursue that company for damages in the courts. I agree with the Deputy in respect of information. It is very important that parents are afforded with information and that we give them information as soon as we possibly can. The priority is, of course, the safety of students and staff. The second priority is to carry out the inspections of the 40 schools and to get that done as soon as we possibly can in order to find out what kind of works need to be done, to get them done, and to pursue the builder for the costs through the courts.

In terms of Deputy Boyd Barrett's further contribution, I did not think there was a further question but I did answer his original question in my previous contribution when I said that funding for higher education is being increased. It was increased last year and it will be increased next year as well. It is important we make sure that the money is spent as well as possible. We should judge ourselves on outcomes, not on how much we spend. That applies across all areas of the public service.

On social policy, I think I understand the question but I do not have the answer. If the Deputy has specific examples-----

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