Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am not aware of the details of the individual school that Deputy Ó Murchú has raised, but I will look at that. I am aware of the very specific case that has been raised by Deputy McAuliffe. It is an excellent example of the willingness of the Department to engage on a direct basis with schools. Over the last number of years, in the lifetime of this Government, over €4.2 billion has been provided for school buildings, whether brand new, additional accommodation or whatever, or to speak to Deputy McAuliffe's point, for deep energy retrofit which will re-energise and reinvigorate an old building and give it a new lease of life, which is important. It would be a shame not to be able to utilise buildings to their maximum because of their age. If we can preserve a building, we will do that. On the specific case that was raised earlier, I can clearly point to examples of where the Department engaged directly with the principal or the patron, or whoever might be the contact person, to get over any difficulties or issues that they might have to bring a project to fruition. At the end of the day, there are standards that must be applied and requirements that must be fulfilled, but the Department will work with the school to ensure that is the case.

See this speech in context