Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 31 Jan 2002

Vol. 547 No. 2

Written Answers. - Schools Refurbishment.

Ulick Burke

Question:

42 Mr. U. Burke asked the Minister for Education and Science the date he received an application for refurbishment and extension to Kilcooley national school, Loughrea, County Galway; the date approval was granted; when he will allow work to start; his views on whether there is an unreasonable delay in this project given the urgent need for these works due to overcrowding and difficulty to adhere to health and safety regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2827/02]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods)

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 accommodation in primary schools. This is almost four times the previous Government's investment in 1997.

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

A building project at Kilcooley national school is 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 under the expanded building programme as soon as it is possible to do so.