Seamus Healy
Question:472 Mr. Healy asked the Minister for Education and Science if approval will be expedited for the provision of an extension to Scoil Mhuire, Newcastle, Clonmel, County Tipperary. [28758/01]
Written Answers. - Schools Buildings Projects.
My Department has received an application for grant-aid towards the cost of a proposed building project at Scoil Mhuire, Newcastle, Clonmel, County Tipperary.
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 of individual projects, including any proposed works at Scoil Mhuire, Newcastle, Clonmel, 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.