Vol. 547 No. 2
152 Mr. U. Burke asked the Minister for Education and Science his plans for the provision of an extension and refurbishment at Ballinakill national school, Loughrea, County Galway; the date the application was received from the board of management; the date of approval; the expenditure at this school in 2002 in order to allow the facilities to be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2954/02]
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.
A building project at Ballinakill national school is currently in architectural planning as part of the Government's programme. The project will continue to the preparation of tender documents and the invitation of tenders, as soon as it is possible to do so, under the expanded building programme.
153 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will provide a progress report on the provision of a primary school for an area (details supplied). [2955/02]
A need has been identified for new primary school provision to meet the demand for school places arising from the significant housing development in the area referred to by the Deputy. The Archdiocese of Dublin has indicated its intention to seek recognition for such a school. In recent correspondence it has been indicated to my Department that the proposed opening date for the new school is September 2003.
The property management section of the Office of Public Works is acting on behalf of my Department in relation to school site acquisitions generally. It has been asked to explore the possibility of acquiring a site for the proposed school referred to by the Deputy.
