Ivor Callely
Question:125 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Education her views on whether there is an urgent need to invest in primary school maintenance and building projects; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Primary School Capital Programme.
I accept there is an urgent need to continue a high level of investment in the capital programme for primary schools. The Programme for Government 1993-1997 reflects this necessity by undertaking that there will be increased expenditure in each of the next five years on the school building programme.
Considerable progress has and continues to be made in the upgrading of primary school accommodation. Over £84 million has been spent in the last five years on this programme. This year alone major building projects are underway at over 50 schools and there are upwards of 1,300 other schools where one or more minor and emergency works of a capital nature are being grant-aided. It follows that the entire capital programme has had or will have an involvement this year with approximately 45 per cent of all primary schools.