Vol. 545 No. 2
150 Mr. McDowell asked the Minister for Education and Science if he has received an application for mechanical and electrical refurbishment of a school (details supplied) in Dublin 9; the stage of the sanction process at which the application rests; and if funds will be provided in 2002 for completion of the project. [30065/01]
My Department has received an application for grant aid towards the refurbishment of the mechanical and electrical system 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 or 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 at 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 the proposed mechanical and electrical project at the school referred to by the Deputy, 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.
