Joe O'Toole (Independent)

I know there are difficulties in the Minister's constituency and in places such as west Limerick, where small rural two-teacher schools have more than 50 pupils. It is a difficulty. I will not state to the Minister that situation is worse than the situation of a developing school in Balbriggan or Ashbourne in the new Minister of State's constituency, where difficulty in finding teachers is experienced.

I recognise that other needs exist. However, that does not take from meeting the commitment given. We can deal with all needs over a period of time. People want to know they have something to which they can look forward. There should not be argument on this. Everybody agrees it is the way to progress. Surely it is a matter of how long it will take and when and how it will be done. Will the Minister return to that point?

I remind the Minister that she put forward a five-year schools building programme. She did not worry about whether there would be an election. She just put it in place and fair play to her. I ask her to do the same for class sizes and teacher numbers. Of course the Minister can do so.