Vol. 544 No. 3
458 Mr. Noonan asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will enter into negotiations with the Minister for Defence to ensure that land necessary for the extension of the Model School in Limerick is made available to his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28604/01]
My Department's building unit has no record of having received an application for the purchase of additional land for the Model School in Limerick. I have arranged for an official of my Department to contact the school authorities to discuss this matter with them.
459 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the search for a site for a new national school for Gaelscoil Cholmcille; his views on the site which is available at the rear of the Cloisters; if the Office of Public Works report on this site has now been completed; if it has been sent to his Department; if all technical work has been completed to allow a formal offer to be made on this site by the end of the month; if he will now make every effort to purchase this site. [28717/01]
My Department is currently awaiting a report from the Office of Public Works in relation to a proposed site for Gaelscoil Cholmcille. When this report is received and evaluated this matter can be progressed further.
460 Mr. Healy asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will approve stage 4 of the development for Donohill national school, County Tipperary. [28731/01]
I understand that the Deputy is referring to Annacarty national school, County Tipperary. My Department has received an application for grant aid towards the cost of a building project at Annacarty national school.
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 building projects, including Annacarty national school, will be taken as in previous years in the light of the allocations to be made for school building purposes and when all budget decisions have been taken by the Government.
