Vol. 552 No. 1
701 Mr. Power asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress which has been made regarding the application by Caragh national school, Naas, County Kildare, for a building project at the school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11340/02]
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 pri mary buildings area since the Government came into office, there has been a substantial increase in the number of major building projects in construction and this has given rise to a record level of building and refurbishment activity. Caragh national school is being extended-refurbished as 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.
