Vol. 547 No. 1
1112 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Science the funds which are available to his Department for carrying out capital projects in 2002; if the new school promised for Coralstown, Mullingar will proceed in 2002; if there are structural funds available from the EU to enable these projects to proceed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1217/02]
1284 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Science the position in relation to the provision of a new primary school at Coralstown, Mullingar, County Westmeath; if the architectural planning stage has concluded; if he will ensure that same is progressed without further delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2255/02]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1112 and 1284 together.
The allocation for primary buildings in 2002 is 153.6 million, which is a record level of funding and demonstrates this Government's commitment to improving the accommodation situation in primary schools. This is almost four times the previous Government's investment in 1997. Because of the greatly increased level of activity in the primary buildings area since this Government came into office, there has been a substantial increase in the number of major and minor building projects in construction and this has given rise to a record level of building and refurbishment activity.
A new three-classroom school is proposed for Coralstown as part of the Government's programme and is currently in architectural planning. The project will continue to the preparation of tender documents and the invitation of tenders, as soon as it is possible to do so, under the expanded building programme.
