Cecilia Keaveney
Ceist:1302 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding an application by a school (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2364/02]
Written Answers. - Schools Building Projects.
An application for a permanent extension to the school to which the Deputy refers is at the final stages of examination by the planning section of my Department. As part of this examination, factors such as housing developments, current and projected enrolments, staffing levels and the availability of places in other schools in the area have been considered.
A decision will shortly be made on how best to meet the school's long-term accommodation requirements and the school authorities will be advised of the position as soon as possible. As an interim measure, my Department has sanctioned 95% rental grant-aid for temporary accommodation to cater for the school's short-term requirements.
Cecilia Keaveney
Ceist:1303 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding a school extension (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2365/02]
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.
Due to 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 building projects in construction and this has given rise to a record level of building and refurbishment activity.
The school referred to by the Deputy is being extended/refurbished 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.