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 previous 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 design team has been appointed and a submission outlining options for the amalgamated school was submitted to my Department recently and is currently being examined. The project will progress through architectural planning and to the invitation of tenders, as soon as possible, under the expanded building programme.