Vol. 577 No. 1
150 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Science the amount remaining available in the post-primary contingency fund; if he will consider sanctioning the provision of the covered walkway at Confey College, Leixlip, County Kildare, from the fund if finance is still on hand; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30612/03]
There is a contingency sum for emergencies set out in the 2003 school building programme to deal, as best as possible, with the most urgent needs in schools. This fund is managed in such a way as to grant aid requests for funding from schools to address unforeseen problems, such as leaking water pipes and replacement boilers. Generally, the fund is spent on matters which, if left unattended, could result in the closure of a school. The proposal in respect of Confey College does not come into that category.
151 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Science, further to Parliamentary Question No. 168 of 13 November 2003, if any of his new Department offices in the past ten years has been built or rented only to be left without proper office and furniture equipment; his views on whether this would be an entirely inappropriate scenario; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30613/03]
My Department is currently assessing an application from the school authority for retrospective funding for furniture for the school in question and a further letter will issue shortly to the school on the matter.
152 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will increase the allocation within his primary school building programme in 2004 for site acquisitions to a realistic figure to enable the purchase of sites for new schools at locations at which they are required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30618/03]
I intend to publish details of the 2004 school building programme by early January at the latest. The programme will outline the financial allocation for the purchase of sites for primary school buildings during 2004.
