Vol. 548 No. 3
212 Mr. Noonan asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the fact that teachers at St. Nessan's national school, Mungret, County Limerick are withdrawing from the school on 12 February 2002 to protest regarding the unsuitable and unsanitary condition of the prefabs at that school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5024/02]
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 building projects under construction, which has given rise to a record level of building and refurbishment activity.
As part of the Government's programme, St Nessan's is being extended-refurbished, and is currently at Stage 3 of architectural planning with planning permission expected to be sought for the project within the next few weeks. Under the expanded building programme, on receipt of planning permission, the project will continue to the preparation of tender documents and the invitation of tenders as soon as possible.
