Vol. 481 No. 4
266 Mr. G. Reynolds asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will provide funding in 1997 for the provision of an indoor general purpose room at St. Patrick's National School, Calry, County Sligo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16344/97]
The pace at which general purpose rooms can be provided to primary schools is dictated by the financial resources available to me. The priority always has to be the provision of essential classroom accommodation and the elimination of substandard classrooms. I am anxious to extend the provision of general purpose rooms to existing schools which have four or more classrooms such as St. Patrick's School in Calry. In order to achieve this, there is a policy of including a general purpose room in a building project at such schools where the project involved is also providing additional essential permanent classrooms. Regrettably, therefore, it is not possible to approve funding towards the cost of a general purpose room at St. Patrick's National School, Calry, County Sligo, at this time. However, I assure the Deputy that the proposed project will be considered again in the light of future capital allocations. I understand that my Department explained the position in a letter to the manager of St. Patrick's in May of this year.
