Vol. 547 No. 3
436 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science if an application has been received from a school (details supplied) in County Westmeath; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the current classroom space available for the enrolment is seriously in breach of departmental guidelines; when sanction for additional classroom space will be given; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3647/02]
The allocation for primary buildings in 2002 is €153.6 million, which is a record level of funding and demonstrates the Government's commitment to improving the accommodation situation in primary schools. This is almost four times the previous Government's investment in 1997.
Since the Government came into office, there has been a great increase in the level of activity in the area of primary school building. This has resulted in a substantial increase in the number of major and minor building projects under construction which has given rise to a record level of building and refurbishment activity.
Under the expanded building programme, the school referred to by the Deputy will proceed to architectural planning and to the preparation of tender documents as soon as possible.
