Vol. 559 No. 6
52 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason for the reduction of 4% in the funding for building, equipment and furnishing of national schools in his Department's Estimate for 2003, especially having regard to the poor condition of many schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26687/02]
The capital expenditure proposals for my Department form part of the Government's overall proposals for improvement in infrastructure and due account has been taken of the requirements and priorities in the various areas. The allocation of €147.7 million for 2003 for primary school buildings will enable my Department to consolidate the very considerable progress that has been made over the last several years. Admittedly, in view of current economic realities and the tightening of the financial position, the rate of progress in 2003 will be somewhat slower than I would have liked. As a result of the Government's commitment to funding educational infrastructure, in excess of 120 major capital projects in the primary sector have recently been completed or are currently under construction. Many of these projects will continue in construction into 2003.
It is my Department's intention to release the projects in architectural planning to construction on a phased basis over a number of years.
