Vol. 551 No. 2
533 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress which has been made on the work which needs to be carried out on Ballinlig national school, Beltra, County Sligo; the reason for the delays; the discussions which have taken place; when the necessary approval will be given; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10054/02]
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. In view 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.
Ballinlig national school is being extended and refurbished as part of the Government's programme and is currently in architectural planning. The project will continue to the invitation of tenders, as soon as possible, under the expanded building programme.
