Vol. 318 No. 6
asked the Minister for Education the reasons for the reduction in the capital sum allocated under the Public Capital Programme 1980 in respect of building grants and capital costs of secondary, comprehensive and community schools; the school extensions and new buildings which will be affected, and if he will make a statement on the matter.
391.
asked the Minister for Education if his attention has been drawn to the lack of increase in the amount estimated for the building, equipment and furnishing of national schools in 1980 where a similar figure of £17 million was allocated in 1979 and is therefore less in real terms; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
400.
asked the Minister for Education the reasons for reducing capital expenditure on education under the Public Capital Programme for 1980 from £53.11 million in 1979 to £49.12 million in 1980; and if he is aware that the sum estimated for 1980 is seriously inadequate in the context of (i) the rising population (ii) higher participation in education and (iii) the number of sub-standard schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 390, 391 and 400 together.
The provision to be made in each year for capital school building involves a variety of factors, such as the number of projects already under construction, the number of projects reaching completion and the number of new projects to reach the architectural planning stage when contracts may be placed. It is not appropriate to make a direct comparison between the allocation for any two succeeding years.
I am satisfied that the provision for capital expenditure on school building in 1980 is adequate to requirements.
