Cecilia Keaveney
Question:232 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Education the current position in relation to an extension to a school (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7958/97]
Written Answers. - Schools Building Projects.
My Department's technical staff have drawn up plans for a proposed extension at the school referred to by the Deputy. At present, I am not in a position to sanction funding towards this project. All available funds are committed on existing capital projects and on grants already sanctioned. I will, however, be keeping expenditure on the primary building programme under review during the year. The needs of the school will receive consideration at the earliest opportunity.
Cecilia Keaveney
Question:233 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Education the current position in relation to an extension to a school (details supplied) in County Donegal; and her views on the suggestion that the school should use their only PE area as an alternative classroom in the event of an extension not being approved. [7959/97]
The school in question has applied to my Department for an extension. Enrolment projections indicate that an additional teacher will be appointed in September 1997, but that the need will be short-term.
The ideal solution is additional classroom accommodation. However, there were massive cuts in the capital funding of national schools in the 1988-92 period and this has resulted in a backlong of urgent projects. While I accept that the temporary use of a GP facility is not ideal, I must give priority to the schools on the capital programme.