Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy has answered the question with regard to why we are in a different position. To clarify, the cost of Harold's Cross is €23 million. I understand the point the Deputy is making, however, which is that this is indicative of the increasing cost of land, which puts pressures on the budget. We are also looking at the 2014 regulation which changed the specification and at the 2017 change with regard to NZEB - the nearly zero energy building standard - which is working towards more environmentally efficient buildings. I am very conscious that we have to get value for money from the taxpayers' point of view and, while there is construction inflation, that we do not just accept there will be increased costs and allow that to carry on. We build in a detailed design element to the schools and, by having a detailed element complete prior to tender, we get fixed-price contracts, which ensure the price and ensure that whoever wins these contracts sticks within that. It is a question of efficiency and value for money. We are still going to be delivering over 40,000 places from 2018 to 2019 and there are still many buildings under construction. However, I appreciate the Deputy's point in terms of being vigilant to ensure we get value for money.

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