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

The Deputy may ask how there can be a reduction in the schools capital budget and projects continue. I will explain how this comes about. The budget in 2016, when this Government took office, was €530 million. It was increased to €532 million in 2017. It was increased to €547 million in 2018. It was increased to €622 million in 2019 and it will be €620 million next year. That is a €2 million reduction. However, DIT has managed to sell the very large property at Kevin Street for €140 million whereas the guide price had been €60 million, therefore, there is an additional €80 million coming in from that transaction than had been anticipated.

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