A warning has been issued over potential budget cuts to school building projects following Fine Gael's Children's Hospital "fiasco".

Plans are now being examined to cut capital budgets as the overruns escalate on the National Children's Hospital.

Education Minister Joe McHugh has been urged to ensure no school building projects will be cut as a result of the cost.

"The children of Ireland will be the ultimate losers as the fallout from the hospital overspend continues. They don't deserve to be hit with a double whammy via a cut to school building projects," said Fianna Fáil's Education spokesperson Thomas Byrne TD.

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"This government is already falling behind on school buildings, with many new schools without permanent sites and other older buildings in a state of disrepair."

"It is essential that Minister Joe McHugh does not accept a cut to his building budget. He must stand up for the children of this country.

"Unfortunately, the Children's Hospital debacle is likely to have ramifications beyond 2019. Minister McHugh must therefore get a multi annual commitment that his school building budget is ring-fenced and increased as necessary. A commitment not to cut in 2019 is not sufficient," he concluded.

(CM/JG)