Sean Fleming
Question:792 Mr. Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Science when the proposed extension to a school (details supplied) in County Laois will be approved; and when construction will commence. [26353/01]
Written Answers. - Schools Building Projects.
The application referred to by the Deputy was recently received and is currently being examined in the planning and building unit of my Department in conjunction with a report by the local inspector. As part of this examination, the school's current and projected enrolments and staffing levels are being taken into consideration. A decision on the school's long-term accommodation requirements will be made and notified to the board of management as soon as possible.
The Deputy will appreciate that there has been a massive and unprecedented increase in the funds allocated by this Government to the building programme at all levels. The allocation in the current year is £370.5 million, 470.4 million. This is almost four times the allocation made by the previous Government in 1997. This level of funding has enabled my Department to undertake a record number of building projects, and it is my intention to continue this rate of progress in overcoming the deficit arising from many past years and in meeting the needs of the present day.
Decisions relating to the rate of progress to construction of individual projects, including the school referred to by the Deputy, should enrol ments there warrant the provision of additional accommodation, will be taken as in previous years, in the light of the allocations to be made for school building purposes in the forthcoming Estimates.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:793 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will reconsider the approval of the building of a covered walkway between buildings at Confey Community College, Leixlip, County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26369/01]
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that I have approved funding for the provision of the covered walkway at Confey College, Leixlip, County Kildare.
The post-primary building unit of my Department has already been in touch with the chief executive officer of County Kildare VEC with a view to putting the work in hands as soon as possible.