Vol. 549 No. 3
460 Mr. N. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the commencement of works at a primary school (details supplied) in County Cork; and if his attention has been drawn to the deplorable condition of the school building and the urgency in having problems addressed immediately at the school, which include replacement windows and the provision of a new sewerage system. [6857/02]
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 accommodation in primary schools. This is almost four times the previous Government's investment in 1997.
In view of the greatly increased level of activity in the primary buildings area since this 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 for the school referred to by the Deputy is part of the Government's programme and is currently in architectural planning. The project will continue to the preparation of tender documents and the invitation of tenders, as soon as possible, under the expanded building programme. In view of the Deputy's representations, I have asked the building unit of my Department to provide me with a full report on the condition of this school.
