Richard Bruton
Question:372 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the primary schools which have received funding in the 1998-9 school year for new building projects or repairs to school buildings. [24353/98]
Written Answers - Schools Building Projects.
Under the devolved grant scheme, all 3,300 national schools would have received grants this year for improvement works to buildings, services and furnishings. A further 800 schools approximately would have received grant aid for works outside the scope of the devolved grant scheme.
As I indicated to the Deputy in my reply to his Question No. 451 on Tuesday, 17 November, 1998, details of the major projects are being compiled and will be forwarded as quickly as possible.
Richard Bruton
Question:373 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the number and names of primary schools in which asbestos was used in their construction; and if these schools are aware of this fact. [24354/98]
My Department does not have detailed information on the content of materials used in the construction of all 3,300 primary schools.
The asbestos fibre is no longer used in building materials. In the past, some materials would have contained elements of the fibre and would have been used in the construction of many buildings, including schools. However, these fibres are not an identifiable factor from observation and can only be conclusively identified by a skilled analyst using a microscope. In school refurbishment projects, it is my Department's policy to adopt safe working procedures in dealing with the removal of building materials containing the asbestos fibre.