Vol. 547 No. 3
389 Mr. Spring asked the Minister for Education and Science if funding is available from his Department to enable the upgrading and extension of Saint Teresa's National School, Kilflynn, Tralee, County Kerry to proceed in 2002. [3333/02]
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 accommodation 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.
Saint Teresa's National School, Kilflynn is being refurbished as part of the Government's programme and is currently in architectural planning. It will continue to the preparation of tender documents and the invitation of tenders, as soon as possible, under the expanded building programme.
390 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science when the necessary funding will be provided to Gortjordan National School, Shrule, County Mayo. [3385/02]
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 accommodation 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.
Gortjordan National School is being refurbished as part of the Government's programme and is currently in architectural planning. It will continue to the preparation of tender documents and the invitation of tenders, as soon as possible, under the expanded building programme.
391 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Science the steps he intends to take on foot of a report on the condition of St. Catherine's senior Travellers training centre, Carlow; if the issues regarding health and safety will be addressed in the short-term; and the steps which have been taken in this regard to date in 2002. [3398/02]
I am arranging for officials of my Department to meet with the VEC to examine possible solutions to the issue raised by the Deputy. Like other training programmes for early school leavers, the senior Traveller training programme is delivered in an out-of-school setting in rented premises. Essential refurbishment of these premises has to be met within the annual budget for the running costs of the programme as allo cated through the public service Estimates. There is, as yet, no capital fund at my Department's disposal for such projects.
The chief executive officer of County Carlow VEC has written to my Department's further education section seeking approval for expenditure of £450,000 to restructure and refurbish the premises which houses St. Catherine's senior Travellers training centre. In a letter to the chief executive officer dated 19 September 2001 it was indicated that if the VEC submits a priority list of essential work – in particular work that has health or safety implications – to upgrade the premises, on a phased basis, my Department would fully consider the matter. This request to the VEC was repeated in a further letter dated 2 November 2001. The VEC has not yet submitted a priority list of essential work.
