Pat Gallagher (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Cinnte go bhfanfaidh. I thank the Minister for his reply. We need to progress work on St. Mary's national school in Stranorlar. That school was in the capital programme in 2011. For some unknown reason it was removed but it is back in the capital programme now, thankfully. We also know that the process of short-listing, the pre-qualification process, has gone on for too long. It needs to come to a conclusion quickly. Regarding pre-qualification for any school in Donegal, we have some very fine contractors in Donegal. I know we have the same interests in this area. Those contractors should be given an opportunity to submit tenders. I hope that will be the situation because all contractors in Donegal should be given a chance.

I flag that for the Minister and ask him to use his influence as the Minister for Education and Skills. He also perhaps wears the Donegal vest. I ask him to consider this issue from that perspective as well. We have also both been to Gaelscoil na gCeithre Máistrí and that project needs to be moved on as quickly as possible, as well as the work at the Little Angels school in Letterkenny. Perhaps the Minister might give us a more detailed update than he has already.

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