Vol. 551 No. 3
250 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Science when formal approval to go to tender will be transmitted to a school (details supplied) in County Roscommon; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10431/02]
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.
Because 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.
The school referred to by the Deputy is being refurbished-extended as part of the Government's programme and a building project has completed architectural planning. Tenders will be invited, as soon as possible, under the expanded building programme.
