Vol. 548 No. 5
454 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the accommodation crisis at St. Michael's National School, Clerihan, Clonmel, County Tipperary where two classes are using a local community hall as a classroom; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that the school urgently requires two new classrooms and a gen eral purpose room; and the status of this project. [5706/02]
The allocation for primary buildings in 2002 is €153.6 million, which 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. The greatly increased level of activity in the primary buildings area since this Government came into office has meant 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. My Department expects to be in a position this year to give detailed consideration to an application from St. Michael's national school, Clerihan, for improved accommodation as part of the expanded building programme. The school authorities will be informed of developments.
455 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason for the lack of progress on the school hall for Scoil Ruain, Killenaule, County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5707/02]
The allocation for post-primary buildings in 2002 is €182.31 million, which is a record level of funding and demonstrates this Government's commitment to improving accommodation in primary schools. This is almost four times the previous Government's investment in 1997. The greatly increased level of investment in the post-primary buildings area since this Government came into office has meant 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.
Architectural planning is already under way in respect of this project. The stage 2 submission – outline sketch scheme – for the provision of a physical education hall in Scoil Ruain has been received in the building unit of my Department. The building unit's technical team are currently examining the submission. Once this examination is complete the project will continue to the next stage as soon as possible under the expanded building programme.
