Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 6 Dec 2001

Vol. 546 No. 1

Written Answers. - School Accommodation.

Róisín Shortall

Question:

192 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the sub-standard condition of Aghina national school, Canan, Macroom, County Cork; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that the Southern Health Board has declared the school building unfit for a number of reasons (details supplied); the reason for the delay in sanctioning a new school; if he will undertake to give the necessary approvals in order that the long-promised building work can begin in early 2002; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31281/01]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods)

My Department has received an application for a building project at Aghina national school, County Cork. 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 a building project at Aghina national school, which is in the late stages of architectural planning, 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.