Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I appreciate this matter crosses two different briefs as there is a further education element to it as well. I also appreciate that the Deputy may well have had conversations about what the college is intending to do and what its vision is. All I can say is we have a considerable record in delivery of new builds and additional accommodation. There were 180 builds last year and there are 300 on hand at this time, 40 of which are brand-new school builds with the remaining 260 additional accommodation. We have a budget of €4.4 billion between now and 2025 for the delivery of the school building programme, so we have an ambitious programme. We recognise that everything in education is in a constant state of flux and the needs of schools change from time to time. I appreciate, therefore, that this may be a pre-emptive strike by the Deputy in terms of the needs of the school in question. We will see what is forthcoming from the school itself.

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