Vol. 550 No. 4
749 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Science if, further to Parliamentary Question No. 398 of 5 February 2002, his Department is now in a position to meet the board of management; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8673/02]
My Department has recently received a response from the VEC regarding the matter to which the Deputy refers. This communication is currently being examined in the building unit of my Department and a meeting will be arranged shortly.
750 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Science if, further to Parliamentary Question No. 399 of 5 February 2002, he will approve the progression to stages II and III; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8674/02]
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the building unit of my Department wrote to the County Roscommon VEC on 25 February 2002 giving it permission to proceed to stage 3, developed sketch scheme of the Department's design team procedures.
751 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Science if, further to Parliamentary Question No. 1338 of 30 January 2002, his Department will now proceed to architectural planning; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8675/02]
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.
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.
My Department will give further consideration this year to an application from the authorities of the school referred to by the Deputy for improved accommodation.
The school authorities will be kept informed of developments.
752 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Science if, further to Parliamentary Question No. 1333 of 30 January 2002, his Department will now proceed to architectural planning; if his Department intends to construct a new school or refurbish the existing school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8676/02]
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.
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 and minor building projects in construction and this has given rise to a record level of building and refurbishment activity.
My Department expects to be in a position during this year to give detailed consideration to an application from the authorities of the school in question for improved accommodation as part of the expanded building programme.
