Vol. 550 No. 2
636 Mr. Boylan asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Aughadreena national school board of management made an application for the provision of extra accommodation as there are two old prefabs in use at the school and all necessary documentation is with his Department; and if he will sanction the provision of the additional accommodation forthwith. [8050/02]
I understand that the Deputy is referring to Knocknagilla national school. 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.
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 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 during this year to give detailed consideration to an application from Knocknagilla national school for improved accommodation as part of the expanded building programme. The school authorities will be informed of developments.
