Vol. 523 No. 5
310 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science if state of the art educational facilities are now available in all schools at primary and second levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21732/00]
I take it the Deputy is referring to the condition of physical facilities in schools.
Since coming into office in 1997, the Government increased the level of funding for primary and post-primary school buildings from a total of £72 million per annum to £181 million per annum. This has resulted in significant progress being made in the elimination of substandard accommodation in the recent past. I acknowledge that more needs to be done and, to this end, the Government is committed to ensuring further progress is made in this area in the context of the national development plan.
