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 accommodation in primary schools. This is almost four times the pre vious Government's investment in 1997. Due to the greatly increased level of activity in the primary buildings area since the 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 proposed improvements and building project for St. Oliver Plunkett national school, Newcastle, Athenry, County Galway, will proceed to architectural planning and to the preparation of tender documents as soon as possible under the expanded building programme. Moderately elevated radon levels have been measured in some of the rooms in this school. My Department will be in contact with the school regarding this very shortly with a view to taking action to mitigate it as soon as possible and in advance of the other works.
