Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 609: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if his Department will co-operate with the Comptroller and Auditor General in any proposed value for money review of the planning and building unit in his Department; his views on the necessity of such a review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35774/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I take it that the Deputy is referring to the recent letter from Senator O'Toole to the Comptroller and Auditor General proposing a Value for Money review of the Planning and Building Unit of my Department. My Department always extends full co-operation to the Comptroller and Auditor General and his staff, who regularly carry out reviews of aspects of the operation of the of the Planning and Building Unit.

As I indicated in the Seanad debate on the matter on 8th October 2008, I do not share Senator O'Toole's view of the Planning and Building Unit of my Department and I do not accept the basic thrust of his criticisms. My Department has made substantial progress in improving school infrastructure over the last several years and I intend that this will continue in the context of the funding available under the National Development Plan.