Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 31 Jan 2002

Vol. 547 No. 2

Written Answers. - Schools Building Projects.

Cecilia Keaveney

Question:

147 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding an application by a school (details supplied) in County Donegal for an extension; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2918/02]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods)

The allocation for primary buildings in 2002 is €153.6 million. This is a record level of funding and demonstrates this Government's commitment to improving the accommodation situation in primary schools. This is almost four times the previous Government's investment in 1997.

Since this Government came to office there has been a greatly increased level of activity in the primary buildings area. There has also been a substantial increase in the number of major and minor building projects in construction. All of this has given rise to a record level of building and refurbishment activity.

The school referred to by the Deputy is being extended/refurbished as part of the Government's programme and is currently in architectural planning. The project will proceed to the preparation of tender documents and the invi tation of tenders, as soon as it is possible to do so, under the expanded building programme.