Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Berry for his question. A few schools that both the Ceann Comhairle and I would be familiar with were referenced in that last contribution, including Coláiste Íosagáin and the schools in Monasterevin and in Newbridge and the Curragh. Deputy Berry will enjoy great levels of co-operation from the Ceann Comhairle and Deputy Heydon, both of whom have been very strong on this. I want to reassure all three Deputies, who have been working very closely on this matter, that the building programme in place for this year will continue. In fact, the building unit in Tullamore put in an enormous effort to ensure that builders were back on site on Monday. They are in a number of the Western Building Systems schools as well. There is an opportunity over this period to deal with a lot of outstanding works that are required too. Any school projects that are in the pre-tender, tendering or tender award stage and any commitments that were made prior to the Covid-19 crisis are still in place. I also agree with the Deputy's point about trying to work our way out of this pandemic. It will be through work that we do so and we need to make sure that capital investment remains a firm priority.

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