Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

There are often different reasons projects are delayed. It is not always the fault of the Department but there are often design, planning or funding issues. It is important to make sure that funding is managed throughout the year. There are only so many projects that can be progressed at a certain time. The focus and priority is always where additional accommodation is needed. More than 100,000 places have brought onstream over the past number of years alone where extensions or refurbishment were needed, in particular where school buildings had fallen into disrepair.

That is the priority and must be the focus but, in addition, there are always other projects being developed, such as schools moving out from an existing school building into a new build. We acknowledge ,that over decades, there is a normal amount of wear and tear and we must make sure children are being educated in the best possible setting.

I will come back directly to Deputy Timmins on the schools he mentions, as I do not have an update here with me. I acknowledge that Deputy O'Connell has been hugely supportive of the schools in her area. I look forward to working with her on making sure these projects can progress as quickly as possible.

In terms of the Department-----

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