Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Unfortunately, I cannot give any such projection because every project genuinely does differ. There can be delays in a planning process or a design team. There can be issues around reconsidering some elements of the design when it is seen. There can be issues around tender. It is a process we have to go through and I would only be misleading the Senator if I said one phase will take X amount of time and another will take Y amount. It would be construed as a commitment which I simply cannot make.

The Deputy referred to the census data. It is being very closely examined at present to see if there is an expectation of additional capacity being needed in the Balbriggan area.The project predominantly involves replacing capacity which has been provided on a temporary basis. As I understand it, at this point it is not based on trying to increase the overall enrolment numbers for the school or area. I will convey to my Department how the school community and the Senator feel about the project. I recognise that virtually every area to which I go has projects that are very urgent. It is the product of the fact that we are experiencing population growth which up to now has mainly been in the primary school system but which is now occurring in the secondary school system. We have to make sure we meet the needs of the school population every year.

It is heartening that the overall number of children accommodated country-wide in temporary prefab accommodation is reducing. Undoubtedly, to some degree, after a lost decade of investment in many public service areas we are catching up. The Department has been able to protect investment in the education sphere in order to provide for children. It will have to continue to do so within tight financial constraints.