Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 20 Nov 2001

Vol. 544 No. 3

Written Answers. - Schools Refurbishment.

Liam Lawlor

Question:

471 Mr. Lawlor asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will investigate the conditions at a national school (details supplied); if he will schedule the school for refurbishment and redevelopment works; if he will increase staffing levels at the planning and building unit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28750/01]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods):

My Department has received an application for grant-aid towards the cost of a building project at the school in question.

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, will be taken as in previous years in light of the allocations to be made for school building purposes and when all budget decisions have been taken by the Government.

The staffing needs of the planning and building unit, as well as the needs of all other areas of the Department, are kept under constant review and staff are deployed to meet the most pressing needs, within available resources.