Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 17 Apr 2002

Vol. 552 No. 1

Written Answers. - Schools Refurbishment.

Eamon Gilmore

Question:

665 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Education and Science the application his Department has received from Kill-O-the-Grange national school for improvement works at the school; the consideration which has been given to the application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11145/02]

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 the Government's commitment to improving accommodation 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 the 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 new school building is being provided for Kill-O-the-Grange national school as part of the Government's programme and the final stages of architectural planning have been submitted and are being examined by the technical staff of my Department. As soon as this examination has been completed, authorisation will be given to proceed to tender.