Trevor Ó Clochartaigh (Sinn Fein)

Cuirim céad fáilte ar ais roimh an Aire óna chuid taistil ar fad. Tá mé ag árdú ceiste a thagann chun cinn ó am go ham agus tá mé ag iarraidh a bheith roimh rudaí i mbliana seachas a bheith tar éis rudaí. Gach bliain, le roinnt mhaith blianta anuas, cloistear fógra ón Rialtas a rá nach raibh an buiséad caipitil caite maidir le tógáil scoileanna. Tá súil agam nach é sin an scéal a bhéas an i mbliana. Tá mé cinnte, ó na geallúintí a thug an Rialtas nach é, mar go bhfuil airgead gann.

I am raising an issue pertinent to the schools building programme. The Minister might agree that over the past number of years we would hear from the Department of Education and Skills that there has been an underspend in the capital programme, with moneys not fully drawn down for different reasons. Projects may be held up, stalled or experience problems with planning permission. In these times of fiscal constraint we do not want to be in a similar position at the end of this year. I am asking the Minister for information regarding the capital build programme to date for this year and if it can be compared with 2008 to 2011, inclusive. Where do we stand as we are half way through the year? My understanding is that we are approximately a third of the way through the budget. Any good accountant would consider the projects and how many will come to fruition, along with any technical or other difficulties with other projects. That person may also consider if there is a plan B to ensure the money allocated to capital building will be spent by the end of the year.

It is particularly important this year, as there has been much controversy over the capital build programme, with many schools left out of it. We welcome that a number of schools are still in it, and it is important from the perspective of creating employment and providing proper accommodation for school children that we have a capital programme. It would totally unacceptable if we got to the end of the year and the Department told us all the money had not been spent. There are many worthy projects out there, and I would add the likes of Clifden community school in Connemara or Gaelscoil Mhic Amhlaigh in Galway, as well as a number of other schools that we could all mention from our own constituencies. These projects are almost shovel-ready, at stage 2B of the planning process, and could proceed if allowed to go to tender.

What is plan B? If there is a likelihood that a number of the projects might fall by the wayside or behind schedule, with some funding remaining unspent, is there an alternative plan? Would the Department allow some of the schools that are just off the list to go to the tender process and talk to builders? If they have tenders ready, they should be given the go-ahead to start building, although we know money is tight and that it is important to manage budgets well.

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire agus tá mé ag súil go mór leis an bhfreagra atá aige agus tá súil agam go mbeidh freagra dearfach aige dúinn anocht.