Conor Lenihan (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)

Band ratings ascend in order from band 1. Schools with band 1 ratings have priority and are close to construction, possibly even at the design stage. My officials will communicate with the Senator regarding the details of the band rating system, which are also available on the Department's website. It is a fully transparent process.

As Senator Burke will be aware, a significant reappraisal of public expenditure is under way in the Department. To be fair to the Minister, who is new to office, he has made clear he will not make any commitments and projects on which commitments have been given, even those with a high priority, including schools with a higher priority than Davitt College, will not be given approval until the current review has been completed. He will wait until September before giving full clarity on which building projects will proceed and which will, of necessity, be stalled due to current economic circumstances.