Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

I am happy to say a few words on this matter and, indeed, to follow the contribution of Senator O'Toole. No doubt we could all do with a great deal more money for all sorts of projects. That is the way the world goes. The allocation for 2003 is €147 million, a considerable amount of money. There is no point in saying that there will not be a penny spent on primary schools and many schools will lack this and that.

I fully understand that the list of schools which need to be addressed is long and that the amount of money concerned will not satisfy all who wish to be considered under this allocation in 2003. Notwithstanding that, the allocation of €147 million is considerable. It will enable more inroads to be made on the primary school building projects.

I note with interest that the Department is putting all its material on the website so that every school can see where it is on the list. The Taoiseach stated in the Dáil the other day that there would be no more queue jumping for schools which are seeking an allocation. That is a sound idea. Queue jumping leads to jealousy between schools because some say they are getting funding and others are not, and pupils move to the school they think is better served.

I remember distinctly that in 1988 – Senator John Paul Phelan and those Senators who are really young may well say that it is a long time ago – I had £12 million for primary schools.