Vol. 547 No. 2
19 Mr. U. Burke asked the Minister for Education and Science his plans to provide a new school at Cahergal, Tuam, County Galway; if his attention has been drawn to the overcrowding at this school and the inability of teachers to carry out normal teaching work due to lack of additional classrooms, general purpose room and resource facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2826/02]
The allocation for primary buildings in 2002 is €153.6 million, which is a record level of funding and demonstrates the Government's commitment to improving the accommodation situation in primary schools under a greatly expanded school building programme.
In this context, a proposed major building project for Cahergal national school will proceed to architectural planning and to the preparation of tender documents, as soon as it is possible to do so, under the expanded building programme.
While the major building project is progressing, my Department has advised the board of management that it is prepared to approve interim measures to address urgent health and safety issues at the school and to provide temporary accommodation to alleviate the shortage of classroom space. It is open to the board of management to take up this offer at any stage in the interest of the children and teachers if in its judgment the current facilities are unsatisfactory or unsafe.
