Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 28 Feb 2002

Vol. 550 No. 1

Written Answers. - Schools Refurbishment.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

187 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 234 of 20 February, the planned progress in respect of Clochar Coca Naofa national school, Kilcock, County Kildare; the nature of the discussions to date with the school authorities; the agreement reached regarding the determination of requirements for extra facilities; the progress in the past five years; the extent to which the school has benefited from current levels of funding four times that of the previous Government's investment in 1997; the procedure to be followed to bring about the necessary improvements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7304/02]

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 this Government's commitment to improving the accommodation problem in primary schools. This is almost four times the previous Government's investment in 1997. Due to 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 building projects in construction. This has given rise to a record level of building and refurbishment activity.

As previously outlined to the Deputy in Parliamentary Question No. 234 of 20 February, a proposed building project for Clochar Coca Naofa national school will proceed to architectural planning and to the preparation of tender documents, as soon as possible, under the expanded building programme.