Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 22 Nov 2001

Vol. 544 No. 5

Written Answers. - Schools Building Projects.

Paul McGrath

Ceist:

175 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science if an application has been received from a school (details supplied) in County Westmeath to have additional accommodation provided to alleviate the overcrowding at the school; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the classroom space available for the enrolment is in breach of Departmental guidelines; when sanction for additional classroom space will be given; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29397/01]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods)

My Department has received an application for grant aid towards the cost of a building project at the school in question.

The Deputy will appreciate that there has been a massive and unprecedented increase in the funds allocated by this Government to the building programme at all levels. The allocation in the current year is £370.5 million or 470.4 million. This is almost four times the allocation made by the previous Government in 1997. This level of funding has enabled my Department to undertake a record number of building projects, and it is my intention to continue this rate of progress in overcoming the deficit arising from many past years and in meeting the needs of the present day.

Decisions relating to the rate of progress to construction of projects, including the school referred to by the Deputy, will be taken as in previous years in the light of the allocations to be made for school building purposes and when all budget decisions have been taken by the Government.