Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy. In terms of the information that is being made available, the Department deals directly with the patron bodies on the ground, whoever they may be. To be fair, there are 4,000 schools in the system, so I think it is an appropriate mechanism. Of course, there is always a mechanism through which the Deputy can ask a parliamentary question in the Dáil, etc. I want to acknowledge that it is important to have a line of open contact with the schools. That is being done between the Department’s planning and building unit and the management of patron bodies that represent the schools.

Specifically, in terms of the ambitious project that is going forward, in the last number of years under this Government, more than 800 projects were completed. There are currently 300 projects at various stages of construction at this point in time. The Deputy is quite correct that I announced €800 million, which will facilitate an additional 90 projects, moving on to construction stage. They will be announced at different times. Some have now been announced and more will be announced. It depends on the stage they were at regarding the valuation of the tender project, etc. That will all happen in due course.

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