David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for that. I emphasise the need for a fund for start-ups. Right now, as colleagues have said, there are problems around the country where there is no provision. Feeding into the county development plan is a great idea, but my worry is that the county development plan in County Cork was published just last year, so it will be another four years before we will see action there.

May I ask the Minister about co-operation with schools on provision? The populations of some of our primary schools are dropping now, and they have extra rooms, which might help. What level of co-operation is there with primary schools, and should the Department and the Department of Education plan together for the needs of children as to what seems to be a rigid demarcation which now exists?

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