Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 10 Feb 1998

Vol. 486 No. 6

Written Answers. - Schools Building Projects.

Michael D. Higgins

Ceist:

311 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Science if an application for grant aid has been received from a school (details supplied) in County Sligo for the construction of a general purpose room; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that 220 pupils in the six classroom school require a general purpose room for physical education and sporting tuition; the level of grant assistance that would normally be provided by the Department for the construction of a general purpose room; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3055/98]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

An application for grant-aid for the construction of a general purpose room has been received from the school to which the Deputy refers. I am anxious to extend the provision of these rooms to primary schools within the financial resources available but the priority has to be the provision of essential classroom accommodation. My Department's position in the matter was explained in a letter to the school management in May 1997. The level of grant-aid which this school would receive for a capital project is 85 per cent.